Water-absorbent adhesive compositions and associated methods of manufacture and use

ABSTRACT

An adhesive composition is provided that is water-insoluble yet water-absorbent, i.e., capable of absorbing up to 15 wt. % water or more. The composition is composed of a film-forming hydrophilic polymer with at least one linear segment having a plurality of recurring polar groups along the polymer backbone, a complementary multifunctional polymer with a plurality of recurring functional groups that noncovalently bind to the polar groups on the film-forming polymer, and a plasticizer. A method for manufacturing the adhesive composition is provided as well.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/936,887, filed Sep. 8, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/359,548, filed Feb. 5, 2003, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/137,664,filed May 1, 2002, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)(1) toprovisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/288,008, filed May 1,2001.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to adhesive compositions, and moreparticularly relates to water-absorbent adhesive compositions composedof polymer blends. The invention additionally relates to methods forformulating such compositions, including methods for selectingcomponents for inclusion in the compositions, to methods for using thecompositions, and to products manufactured with the compositions. Theinvention finds utility in any context requiring an adhesive compositionthat adheres to a moist surface and neither dissolves nor loses tackupon absorption of water.

BACKGROUND

Hydrophilic adhesives, particularly hydrophilic pressure-sensitiveadhesives (“PSAs”), are used in a wide variety of commerciallysignificant products, including drug delivery systems, wound dressings,bioelectrodes, tooth-whitening systems, and the like. A generaldistinctive feature of hydrophilic PSAs is that they typically adhere towet substrates, while conventional hydrophobic (rubber-based) PSAstypically lose their adhesive properties when moistened.

It is important to be able to modify the adhesive properties of a PSAaccording to intended use, as different applications can require verydifferent adhesion profiles. For instance, the skin contact adhesivelayer of a transdermal drug delivery system, or “patch,” should providefor immediate adhesion following application of the patch to the skinand continued adhesion during an extended drug delivery period. Asanother example, delivery systems for application to wet surfaces, e.g.,the buccal mucosa or the teeth, do not need to adhere to dry surfacesbut should become tacky when applied to a hydrated or moistened surface.In another application, adhesive compositions used in wound dressingsmust become substantially nontacky following absorption of woundexudates to avoid tissue damage upon removal.

A method has recently been developed for tailoring the adhesiveproperties of polymer compositions useful in a number of applications,including pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. The method is based onnew insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying adhesiveproperties. See, for example, Feldstein et al. (1999) Polym. Mater. Sci.Eng., 81:465-466; Feldstein et al., General approach to the moleculardesign of hydrophilic pressure-sensitive adhesives, Proceed. 25^(th)Annual Meeting Adhesion Soc. and 2^(nd) World Congress on Adhesion andRelative Phenomena, February 2002, Orlando, Fla., vol. 1 (OralPresentations), p. 292-294; and Chalykh et al. (2002) J. Adhesion78(8):667-694. As discussed in the foregoing references,pressure-sensitive adhesion results from the coupling of two apparentlyincompatible types of molecular structures, and there is a fine balancebetween strong cohesive interaction energy and enhanced “free volume.”

That is, enhanced free volume in the molecular structure of a PSApolymer composition correlates with high tack exhibited at themacroscopic level and a liquid-like fluidity of the PSA material, which,in turn, allow for rapid formation of an adhesive bond. The “cohesiveinteraction energy” or “cohesion energy” defines the cohesive toughnessof the PSA composition and provides the dissipation of detachment energyin the course of adhesive joint failure. Based on these findings, ageneral method for obtaining novel hydrophilic adhesives was developedand is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,576,712 to Feldstein et al. In oneembodiment, that method involves physically mixing a non-adhesive,hydrophilic, high molecular weight polymer with a relatively lowmolecular weight plasticizer capable of crosslinking the polymer viahydrogen bonding.

In PSAs, the molecular structures of the components dictate the cohesionenergy and free volume, and thereby define the adhesive properties ofthe composition as a whole. For instance, in acrylic PSAs, strongcohesive interaction energy is a result of hydrophobic attractionbetween alkyl groups in side chains, whereas large free volume resultsfrom either electrostatic repulsion of negatively charged carboxylgroups or a significant number of isoalkyl radicals in the side chains.In synthetic rubbers, large free volume is obtained by adding highvolume, low density tackifying resins. In hydrophilic adhesives, when ahigh molecular weight polyvinyl lactam, e.g.,poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (“PVP”) or polyvinyl caprolactone (“PVCap”),is blended with a polyethylene glycol (“PEG”) oligomer, as described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,576,712, high cohesive strength results from thehydrogen bonding interaction between the oxo (═O) moieties of thepyrrolidone or caprolactone ring and the terminal hydroxyl groups of thePEG oligomer, while enhanced free volume is results from the spacingbetween polymer chains provided by the PEG bridges and the flexibilityof the PEG oligomers.

Accordingly, the balance between cohesive energy and free volume, asdescribed in the '712 patent, is in large part responsible for theadhesive properties of polymer materials. For instance, the ratiobetween cohesion energy and free volume dictates the glass transitiontemperature, T_(g), and elastic modulus, E, of a polymeric material.That is, a composition with higher cohesion energy and lower free volumewill have both a higher T_(g) and a higher E.

When dry, the adhesive compositions described in U.S. Pat. No.6,576,712, e.g. blends of high molecular weight PVP and low molecularweight PEG, exhibit relatively low adhesion toward dry surfaces.Adhesion increases, however, when the surface of a substrate ismoistened or the adhesive composition absorbs water. The maximumadhesion of the PVP-PEG blends described in the '712 patent is observedwhen the adhesive contains 5-10 wt. % of absorbed water (i.e., whenwater represents about 5 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of the moistenedadhesive composition). This is usually the case when the adhesive isexposed to an atmosphere having 50% relative humidity (rh). When indirect contact with water, the adhesive dissolves. Therefore, thecompositions are not optimal in applications wherein an adhesivecomposition is likely to undergo a significant degree of hydrationduring use, absorbing on the order of 15 wt. % water or more.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for water-insoluble adhesivecompositions that adhere well to moist surfaces even after absorbing asignificant amount of water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is addressed to the aforementioned need in the art, andprovides a water-insoluble adhesive composition that adheres well tomoist surfaces even after absorbing a significant amount (e.g., greaterthan 15 wt. %) water. The invention also provides a method for preparingsuch a water-soluble adhesive composition.

In one embodiment, then, a method for preparing a water-insoluble,water-absorbent adhesive composition is provided that comprisescombining, under conditions effective to form a substantiallyhomogeneous admixture:

-   -   (a) a film-forming, hydrophilic polymer comprising at least one        linear segment containing a plurality of recurring polar groups;    -   (b) a complementary multifunctional polymer containing a        plurality of recurring functional groups along the polymer        backbone, said recurring functional groups capable of        noncovalently binding to the recurring polar groups so that a        ladder-like interpolymer complex is formed between the at least        one linear segment and the complementary multifunctional        polymer; and    -   (c) a plasticizer capable of plasticizing the film-forming        polymer,    -   wherein the weight fraction of the film-forming polymer in the        admixture is greater than the weight fraction of either the        complementary multifunctional polymer or the plasticizer.

In a preferred embodiment, the recurring functional groups and therecurring polar groups are ionogenic, and an ionizing agent isincorporated into the admixture so as to ionize up to approximate 30% ofthe ionogenic groups.

In another embodiment, a water-insoluble, water-absorbent adhesivecomposition is provided which comprises a blend of:

-   -   (a) a film-forming, hydrophilic polymer comprising at least one        linear segment containing a plurality of recurring polar groups;    -   (b) a complementary multifunctional polymer containing a        plurality of recurring functional groups along the polymer        backbone, said recurring functional groups capable of        noncovalently binding to the recurring polar groups so that a        ladder-like interpolymer complex is formed between the at least        one linear segment and the complementary multifunctional        polymer; and    -   (c) a plasticizer capable of plasticizing the film-forming        polymer,    -   wherein the weight fraction of the film-forming polymer in the        blend is greater than the weight fraction of either the        complementary multifunctional polymer or the plasticizer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a “ladder-like” interpolymercomplex formed by noncovalent association of PVP and a complementarymultifunctional polymer containing a plurality of recurringproton-donating functional groups along the polymer backbone, whereinthe noncovalent association involves hydrogen bonding between theproton-donating functional groups and the oxo moieties within thepyrrolidone rings. While the formation of a “carcass-like” complex(described infra and illustrated in FIG. 2) leads to enhanced cohesivestrength and free volume, the formation of a ladder-like complex asillustrated in this figure is accompanied by a decrease in solubility,an increase in cohesive strength, and a decrease in free volume. Forthis reason, a polymer blend composed of a ladder-like interpolymercomplex provides no adhesion.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a “carcass-like” complex formedby noncovalent association of PVP and oligomeric PEG, wherein thebifunctional oligomer provides a bridge between two polymer chains andthe noncovalent association involves hydrogen bonding between terminalproton-donating moieties on the PEG and the oxo moieties within thepyrrolidone rings. The complex combines high cohesive toughness (as aresult of the hydrogen bonding) with a large free volume (resulting fromthe length and flexibility of the PEG chains).

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an interpolymer complex combiningcarcass-like and ladder-like types of crosslinking. “FFP” represents afilm-forming polymer, “CCL” represents a carcass-like crosslinker, and“LLC” represents a ladder-like crosslinker.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the structure of an interpolymercomplex composed of a film-forming polymer (FFP) and ladder-likecrosslinker (LLC). The complex is mixed with a plasticizer (P) andfilled with a tackifier (T).

FIG. 5 demonstrates nominal stress-strain curves for uniaxial drawingfor the mixture of film-forming Eudragit E-100 polymer with 25 wt. % ofTEC and for the ladder-like interpolymer Eudragit E-100—EudragitL-100-55 complex ([FFP][LLC]=10:1) plasticized with the same amount ofTEC. Drawing rate is 20 mm/min.

FIG. 6 shows the impact of plasticizer (TEC) concentration on probe tackstress-strain curves of the blends of Eudragit E-100 film formingcopolymer and Eudragit L-100-55 ladder-like crosslinker (10:1). The TECconcentrations are indicated in the Figure.

FIG. 7 exhibits the effect of ladder-like electrostatic crosslinking offilm-forming polybase (Eudragit E-100) by polyacid (Eudragit L-100-55)on probe tack stress-strain curves.

FIG. 8 compares the effects of plasticizer (TEC) and tackifier (glycerolester of tall oil rosin) on probe tack stress-strain curves ofamphiphilic adhesives based on the ladder-like electrostatic complex ofEudragit E-100 and Eudragit L-100-55 copolymers (10:1).

FIG. 9 shows the impact of tackifier content on the work of adhesivedebonding for the blends of Eudragit E-100 with 25 wt. % of ATBC.

FIG. 10 compares the effects of two tackifiers—Sylvagum RE 85K rosin andPIB (Oppanol B-15) on probe tack of Eudragit E-100—Eudragit L-100-55blends (10:1), plasticized with 25 wt. % of TEC.

FIG. 11 demonstrates the effect of adipic acid on adhesive properties ofEudragit E-100/L100-55 blends with 25% of TEC at differentE100/L100-55ratios

FIG. 12 represents the curve of potentiometric titration of 1% aqueoussolution of Eudragit E-100 polybase with 0.2 N HCl. The ionizationdegree, f, is plotted along a top axis.

FIG. 13 represents the curve of potentiometric titration of 1% aqueoussolution of Eudragit L-100-55 polyacid with 0.1 N NaOH. The ionizationdegree, f, is plotted along a top axis.

FIG. 14 demonstrates the effect of partial ionization of film-formingpolymer (Eudragit E-100) by HCl solution on the tack of amphiphilicadhesive containing 35 wt. % of plasticizer TEC.

FIG. 15 compares the effects of partial ionization of film-formingpolymer (by HCl) and ladder-like crosslinker (by NaOH) on the probe tackstress-strain curves for amphiphilic Eudragit E-100—Eudragit L-100-55adhesive containing 25 wt. % of plasticizer TEC.

FIG. 16 represents probe tack stress-strain curves for the EudragitE-100—Eudragit L-100-55 complex containing 35 wt. % of plasticizer TECunder 10% ionization of film-forming polymer and ladder-like crosslinkerand for the complex formed between partly ionized polymer components at10% degree of ionization.

FIG. 17 represents the effect of partial ionization of carboxyl groupsin the ladder-like crosslinker on the stress-strain curves of thePVP-PEG-Eudragit L-100-55 adhesive hydrogel containing 12 wt. % ofsorbed water. The degrees of ionization (%) are shown in the Figure.

FIG. 18 compares the adhesive properties of interpolymer complexes ofEudragit E-100 film-forming polymer with the ladder-like crosslinkers ofdifferent hydrophilicity: Eudragit L-100-55 (Example 9) and GantrezS-97. The content of plasticizer TEC in blends is 25 wt. %.

FIG. 19 demonstrates the effect of ladder-like crosslinker (EudragitL-100-55 or Gantrez S-97) on water absorbing capacity, expressed interms of Swell Ratio, for Eudragit E-100 blends, plasticized with 25% ofTEC.

FIG. 20 exhibits the impact of the nature of plasticizers (TEC, ATEC,TBC and ATBC) on probe tack properties of Eudragit E-100—EudragitL-100-55 complexes. Concentration of the plasticizers is 45 wt %.

FIG. 21 illustrates the influence of the nature of plasticizer inEudragit E-100—Eudragit L-100-55 complex on Swell Ratio of relevantblends.

FIG. 22 shows the effect of mixing the Eudragit E-100—Eudragit L-100-55complexes with PVP and with PVP-PEG blend (2:1) on water absorbingcapacity expressed in terms of Swell Ratio.

FIG. 23 demonstrates the influence of hydrophilization of EudragitE-100—Eudragit L-100-55 plasticized complex on the work of adhesivedebonding (probe tack).

FIG. 24 demonstrates peel force traces towards dry and wet human skinfor Gelva acrylic PSA, water soluble adhesive based on carcass-likePVP-PEG complex outlined by U.S. Pat. No. 6,576,712, hydrophilicPVP-PEG-Eudragit L-100-55 adhesive and amphiphilic adhesive based on theladder-like Eudragit E-100—Eudragit L-100-55 complex (Example 1).

FIG. 25 represents probe tack stress-strain curves for water solublePVP-PEG (36%) adhesive outlined by U.S. Pat. No. 6,576,712, amphiphilicadhesives described in Example 9 (35% TEC) and in Example 10 (7% oftackifier, 30% TEC), hydrophilic PVP-PEG-Eudragit L-100-55 adhesive at17% of absorbed water in comparison with two grades of conventionalPSAs: SIS-based DURO-TAK®, 34-4230 and acrylic PSA manufactured by 3M.

FIG. 26 represents the kinetics of in vitro release of silver sulfatefrom three adhesive hydrogel compositions used in wound dressings.

FIG. 27 demonstrates in vitro release kinetics of silver phosphate fromthe matrix of wound dressing based on the ladder-like interpolymercomplex Eudragit E-100—Eudragit L-100-55, plasticized with 25 wt. % ofTEC.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions and Overview:

It is to be understood that, unless otherwise indicated, this inventionis not limited to specific polymers, oligomers, crosslinking agents,additives, manufacturing processes, or adhesive products. It is also tobe understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to belimiting.

In describing and claiming the present invention, the followingterminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set outbelow.

The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to“a hydrophilic polymer” includes not only a single hydrophilic polymerbut also two or more hydrophilic polymers that may or may not becombined in a single composition, reference to “a plasticizer” includesa single plasticizer as well as two or more plasticizers that may or maynot be combined in a single composition, and the like.

A “hydrophobic” polymer absorbs only up to 1 wt. % water at 100% rh,while “hydrophilic” polymers absorb at least 1 wt. % water at 100% rh.

A “water-swellable” polymer is one that is capable of absorbing water inan amount that is at least 50% of its own weight. That is, awater-swellable polymer weighing x grams can absorb at least 0.5× gramsof water, to provide a hydrated polymer weighing at least 1.5× grams andhaving a polymer to water (weight) ratio of at most 3:1.

The term “crosslinked” herein refers to a polymer composition containingintramolecular and/or intermolecular noncovalent bonds. Noncovalentbonding includes hydrogen bonding, electrostatic bonding, and ionicbonding.

The term “polymer” as used herein includes both linear and branchedpolymers, and homopolymers as well as copolymers, the latter includingall types of copolymer structures (e.g., block copolymers, alternatingcopolymers, random copolymers, etc.) as well as “higher order”copolymers (e.g., terpolymers). Those compounds referred to herein as“oligomers” are polymers having a molecular weight below about 1000 Da,preferably below about 800 Da.

The term “water-insoluble” is used to refer to a polymer, compound orcomposition whose aqueous solubility measured at 20° C. is less than 5wt %, preferably less than 3 wt %, and more preferably less than 1 wt %.The term “insoluble” is used to refer to a polymer, compound orcomposition whose solubility in water, polar organic solvents, andpossibly nonpolar organic solvents, measured at 20° C., is less than 5wt %, preferably less than 3 wt %, and more preferably less than 1 wt %.

The term “hydrogel” is used in the conventional sense to refer towater-swellable polymeric matrices that can absorb a substantial amountof water to form elastic gels, where the “matrices” arethree-dimensional networks of macromolecules held together by covalentor non-covalent crosslinks. Upon placement in an aqueous environment,dry hydrogels swell to the extent allowed by the degree ofcross-linking.

The term “hydrogel composition” refers to a composition that eithercontains a hydrogel or is entirely composed of a hydrogel. As such,“hydrogel compositions” encompass not only hydrogels per se but alsocompositions that comprise a hydrogel and one or more non-hydrogelcomponents or compositions, e.g., hydrocolloids, which contain ahydrophilic component (which may contain or be a hydrogel) distributedin a hydrophobic phase.

The terms “tack” and “tacky” are qualitative. However, the terms“substantially nontacky,” “slightly tacky,” and “tacky,” as used herein,may be quantified using the values obtained in a PKI tack determination,a TRBT tack determination, or a PSA tack determination/Polyken Probe(Solutia, Inc.). The term “substantially nontacky” is used to refer to acomposition having a tack value less than about 25 g-cm/sec, the term“slightly tacky” refers to a composition having a tack value in therange of about 25 g-cm/sec to about 100 g-cm/sec, and the term “tacky”refers to a composition having a tack value of at least 100 g-cm/sec.

The term “plasticizer” is used in the conventional sense of the term torefer to a relatively low molecular weight compound that is misciblewith a polymer or polymer blend and decreases the glass transitiontemperature and elastic modulus thereof.

It is desirable to obtain water-insoluble, water-swellable hydrophilicadhesive polymers (adhesive hydrogels) that are capable to formhomogeneous films either upon casting a solution to backing layerfollowed by drying, or under external pressure or by means of extrusion.The film-forming capability requires that the blend has to be free ofcovalent crosslinks. Blending the polymers provides a convenient way toobtain composite materials with specifically tailored properties, sincethe properties of the blend are typically intermediate between those ofthe unblended components when the components are immiscible or partlymiscible. In order to make the composite insoluble in water,water-insoluble materials are usually mixed with water-solublematerials. When this is done, however, a phase separation can oftenoccur that does not favor adhesion. Moreover, the insolubility of blendcomponents may hamper the procedure of blend preparation, which ofteninvolves the dissolution of all the components in a common solvent,followed by casting the solution and drying.

Preparation of polymer composite materials whose properties are new anduntypical of parent components requires a high skill of a materialdesigner. This challenge may be resolved if the blend components arecapable of a strong favorable interaction to each other. More often,such interaction is hydrogen, electrostatic or ionic bonding. In thisinstance mixing of two or more soluble polymers can give theirladder-like complex schematically shown in FIG. 1 that is swellable, butinsoluble or partly soluble.

In order to resolve these problems, this invention is directed to amethod of obtaining water-insoluble, film-forming compositions byblending soluble polymers, more specifically by blending hydrophilicpolymers with complementary macromolecules that are capable of hydrogenbonding, electrostatic or ionic bonding.

By way of overview, the adhesive compositions of the invention containat least film-forming hydrophilic polymer having at least one linearsegment with a plurality of recurring polar groups thereon, at least onecomplementary multifunctional polymer that serves as a “ladder-like”noncovalent crosslinker of the film-forming polymer, and at least oneplasticizer compatible with (i.e., miscible with) or at least partiallycompatible with both the film-forming polymer and the complementarymultifunctional polymer. The film-forming polymer is present in a higherconcentration than the complementary multifunctional polymer, and it isthis higher concentration that determines the film-formingcharacteristics. Therefore, while there may be materials that aresuitable for use as either the film-forming polymer or as thecomplementary multifunctional polymer, their function in the compositionis determined by the quantity of the component in the composition. Ifthe recurring polar groups or the recurring functional groups areionogenic, another factor that controls the performance of compositematerial is the degree of ionization or pH of the mixture.

For example, polyacids such as acrylate polymers bearingcarboxylproton-donating functional groups or polyols bearinghydroxylproton-donating functional groups and proton-accepting polymerssuch as poly(N-vinyl lactams) or polyamines are suited for use as boththe film-forming polymer or as the complementary multifunctionalpolymer. In a composition having a greater amount of an acrylate oranother proton-donating polymer relative to the amount of a poly(N-vinyllactam), the acrylate polymer serves as the film-forming polymer and thepoly(N-vinyl lactam) or polyamine or another proton-accepting polymerserves as the complementary multifunctional polymer, or ladder-likecrosslinker. Similarly, in a composition having a greater amount of apoly(N-vinyl lactam) or polyamine relative to the amount of an acrylatepolymer, the poly(N-vinyl lactam) or polyamine serves as thefilm-forming polymer and the acrylate polymer serves as the ladder-likecrosslinker.

Maintaining a specified pH value in the blend or in an admixture used toprovide the blend provides an additional factor controlling theperformance of the blend when one or more ionogenic polymers arepresent. Ionized groups are capable of ionic, but not electrostatic orhydrogen bonding. Fully or partly ionized polymers are always soluble inwater, whereas non-ionized polymers as a rule are insoluble or poorlysoluble in water. Consequently, the degree of ionization affectsappreciably the solubility and swelling of interpolymer complexesinvolving ionogenic polymers. Moreover, by varying the pH value anddegree of ionization, the adhesive properties of composite materials canbe controlled. Indeed, adhesion is a result of specific balance betweencohesive interaction energy and free volume. As polymeric componentsbear opposite charges, cohesion is increased. As two polymers have thesame positive or negative charge, cohesion is immediately suppressed andfree volume is increased. Moreover, due to electrostatic repulsionbetween the functional groups of identical charge, the chain rigidityand free volume is usually increased. All these factors dramaticallyaffect adhesive performance.

The adhesion profile of the water-insoluble, film-forming compositionsof the invention can be tailored based on materials, the ratio ofcomponents in the composition, the degree of ionization and the quantityof water in the blend. The ladder-like crosslinker, its ratio to theamount of film-forming polymer, concentration of a plasticizer andionization degree are selected so as to provide the desired adhesionprofile with respect to hydration. Generally, the compositions that arerelatively slightly crosslinked through comparatively loose hydrogenbonds and demonstrating a large free volume provide initial tack in drystate. When the degree of crosslinking degree and the cohesive strengthof the network in the interpolymer complex is above some critical value,the energy of cohesion dominates under free volume and such compositionsare usually non-tacky in the dry state. However, as a free volume isincreased in this blend (e.g. by adding a suitable plasticizer),adhesion immediately appears. Because water is a good plasticizer forhydrophilic polymers, absorption of the water leads to an improvement ofadhesion. Because electrostatic bonds are appreciably stronger than thehydrogen bonds, the cohesion in the blends of polymers bearing carboxylgroups is usually higher than in the materials composed of polymershaving hydroxyl groups. Adhesion in such blends appears normally with ahigher concentration of absorbed water. Flexible polymers provide highercohesion than polymers with rigid chains. As an example, for blends ofpoly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) as a film-forming polymer, when theladder-like crosslinker is a rigid-chain cellulose ester bearing OHgroups, the composition is generally tacky prior to contact with water(e.g., with a moist surface) but gradually loses tack as the compositionabsorbs moisture. When the ladder-like crosslinker is an acrylatepolymer or copolymer with carboxyl groups, a composition is providedthat is generally substantially nontacky prior to contact with water,but that becomes tacky upon contact with a moist surface.

Polymer Components:

The film-forming hydrophilic polymer and the complementarymultifunctional polymer, as noted elsewhere herein, are generallyselected from the same classes of polymers and copolymers, but havecomplementary groups along the backbone that interact to formnoncovalent bonds (e.g., hydrogen bonds, electrostatic bonds, or ionicbonds), thereby forming a ladder-like complex that is insoluble inaqueous liquids, polar organic solvents, and many nonpolar organicsolvents as well. By definition herein, the polymer that serves as the“film-forming” polymer represents a greater weight fraction in themixtures and compositions of the invention that does the complementarymultifunctional polymer. Typically, the film-forming hydrophilic polymerrepresents approximately 20 wt. % to approximately 95 wt. % of themixtures and compositions of the invention, while the complementarymultifunctional polymer represents approximately 0.5 wt. % toapproximately 40 wt. % of the mixtures and compositions of theinvention. Generally, although not necessarily, the film-forming polymerwill also have a higher molecular weight than the complementarymultifunctional polymer. The molecular weight of the film-formingpolymer will usually be in the range of about 20,000 to 3,000,000,preferably in the range of about 100,000 to 2,000,000, and mostpreferably in the range of about 100,000 to 1,500,000.

The recurring polar groups on the film-forming polymer and the recurringfunctional groups on the complementary multifunctional polymer maycomprise backbone heteroatoms, e.g., an oxygen atom in an ether (—O—) orester (—(CO)—O—) linkage, a nitrogen atom in an amine (—NH—), imine(—N═), or amide (—NH(CO)—) linkage, a sulfur atom in a thioether (—S—)linkage, and the like. The recurring polar groups and the recurringfunctional groups may also comprise pendant groups, for instance:

-   -   hydroxyl;    -   sulfhydryl;    -   C₁-C₁₈ hydrocarbyloxy, preferably C₁-C₈ alkoxy;    -   C₂-C₁₈ acyl, preferably C₂-C₈ acyl (e.g., C₂-C₈ alkylcarbonyl);    -   C₂-C₁₈ acyloxy, preferably C₂-C₈ acyloxy (e.g., C₂-C₈        alkylcarbonyloxy);    -   C₂-C₁₈ hydrocarbyloxycarbonyl (—(CO)—O-alkyl), preferably C₂-C₈        alkoxycarbonyl (—(CO)—O-alkyl));    -   carboxy (—COOH);    -   carboxylato (—COO⁻);    -   carbamoyl (—(CO)—NR₂ wherein R is H or C₁-C₁₈ hydrocarbyl,        preferably H or C₁-C₈ alkyl);    -   cyano(—C≡N);    -   isocyano (—N⁺≡C⁻);    -   cyanato (—O—C≡N);    -   isocyanato (—O—N⁺≡C⁻);    -   formyl (—(CO)—H);    -   amino, i.e., —NR¹R² where R¹ and R² are independently selected        from H and C₁-C₁₈ hydrocarbyl, preferably selected from H, C₁-C₈        alkyl, and C₅-C₁₂ aryl, or are linked to form an optionally        substituted five- or six-membered ring, thus including        mono-(C₁-C₈ alkyl)-substituted amino, di-(C₁-C₈        alkyl)-substituted amino, mono-(C₅-C₁₂ aryl)-substituted amino,        and di-(C₅-C₁₂ aryl)-substituted amino), piperidinyl,        pyrrolidinyl, and pyrrolidonyl;    -   quaternary ammonium, i.e., —[NR³R⁴R⁵]+Q⁻ where R³, R⁴, and R⁵        are C₁-C₁₈ hydrocarbyl, preferably C₁-C₈ alkyl, and most        preferably C₁-C₄ alkyl, and Q is a negatively charged        counterion, e.g., a halogen anion;    -   C₂-C₁ alkylamido, preferably C₂-C₈ alkylamido (—NH—(CO)-alkyl);    -   C₆-C₁ arylamido, preferably C₆-C₁₂ alkylamido (—NH—(CO)-aryl);    -   nitro (—NO₂);    -   sulfo (—SO₂—OH);    -   sulfonato (—SO₂—O⁻);    -   C₁-C₁₈ hydrocarbylsulfanyl, preferably C₁-C₈ alkysulfanyl        (—S-hydrocarbyl and —S-alkyl, respectively, also termed        “hydrocarbylthio” and “alkylthio”);    -   phosphono (—P(O)(OH)₂);    -   phosphonato (—P(O)(O⁻)₂);    -   phosphinato (—P(O)(O⁻)); and    -   phospho (—PO₂),    -   any of which may be substituted as permitted, e.g., with        hydrocarbyl groups and/or additional functional groups. The        pendant groups may also be directly linked to an atom in the        polymer backbone, or they may be indirectly linked through a        linking group (e.g., C₁-C₁₈ hydrocarbylene linker such as C₂-C₈        alkylene linker). Additionally, there may be two or more types        of polar groups on the film-forming polymer (which may include        backbone heteroatoms as well as pendant polar groups) and two or        more types of functional groups on the complementary        multifunctional polymer (again, which may include backbone        heteroatoms as well as pendant polar groups).

Preferred pendant groups are those present on polymers that are readilysynthesized or commercially available, typically including hydroxy,C₁-C₈ alkoxy, carboxyl, carboxylato, sulfo, sulfonato, amino, di(C₁-C₈alkyl)-substituted amino, quaternary ammonium, piperidinyl,pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, and phosphono groups.

In general, it is also preferred, although not essential, that thefilm-forming polymer have an excess of polar groups relative to thecorresponding functional groups on the complementary multifunctionalpolymer, such that, providing that the polar groups and functionalgroups are ionogenic, the ladder-like complex can readily ionized in thepresence of an ionizing agent, e.g., an acid or base. Typically, zero toabout 30% of the ionogenic groups present on the film-forming polymerare ionized, preferably about 5% to 10%. The degree of ionization may becontrolled by addition of a suitable ionizing agent, e.g., an acid orbase.

It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art thatvirtually any polymers meeting the aforementioned criteria may be usedherein. Suitable polymers include, but are not limited, to thefollowing:

-   -   poly(N-vinyl lactams) such as poly(vinyl pyrrolidone),        poly(vinyl-2-valerolactam), and poly(N-vinyl-2-caprolactam);    -   polyvinyl alcohols, including polyvinyl alcohol per se and        polyvinyl phenol;    -   polyacrylamides such as poly(N-methacrylamide),        poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide), poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)        (PNIPAM), poly(N-vinyl acrylamide), and other poly(N-alkyl        acrylamides and N-alkenyl acrylamides);    -   poly(alkylene oxides) such as polyethylene oxide (PEO) and        poloxamers (i.e., copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene        oxide);    -   poly(oxyethylated) alcohols such as poly(oxyethylated) glycerol,        poly(oxyethylated) sorbitol, and poly(oxyethylated) glucose;    -   polylactide and poly(lactide-co-glycolide);    -   poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid), poly(maleic acid),        poly(fumaric acid), alginic acid, and poly(sulfonic acids);    -   poly(vinyl amines);    -   poly(alkylene imines);    -   cellulose esters and other cellulose derivatives, including        carboxymethylcellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate        butyrate, cellulose acetate propionate, cellulose butyrate,        cellulose diacetate, cellulose phthalate, cellulose propionate,        cellulose propionate butyrate, cellulose triacetate,        hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropyl        methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate,        methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose; and    -   acrylate and methacrylate polymers and copolymers, including        poly(dialkyl aminoalkyl acrylates), poly(dialkyl aminoalkyl        methacrylates), poly(hydroxyalkyl acrylates) such as        poly(hydroxyethyl acrylate), and poly(hydroxyalkyl        methacrylates) such as poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate)        (PolyHEMA). Preferred acrylate polymers are those copolymers        available under the tradename “Eudragit” from Rohm Pharma        (Germany). The Eudragit series E, L, S, RL, RS, and NE        copolymers are available as solubilized in organic solvent, in        an aqueous dispersion, or as a dry powder. Preferred acrylate        polymers are copolymers of methacrylic acid and methyl        methacrylate, such as the Eudragit L and Eudragit S series        polymers. Particularly preferred such copolymers are Eudragit        L-30D-55 and Eudragit L-100-55 (the latter copolymer is a        spray-dried form of Eudragit L-30D-55 that can be reconstituted        with water). The molecular weight of the Eudragit L-30D-55 and        Eudragit L-100-55 copolymer is approximately 135,000 Da, with a        ratio of free carboxyl groups to ester groups of approximately        1:1. The copolymer is generally insoluble in aqueous fluids        having a pH below 5.5. Another particularly suitable methacrylic        acid-methyl methacrylate copolymer is Eudragit S-100, which        differs from Eudragit L-30D-55 in that the ratio of free        carboxyl groups to ester groups is approximately 1:2. Eudragit        S-100 is insoluble at pH below 5.5, but unlike Eudragit        L-30D-55, is poorly soluble in aqueous fluids having a pH in the        range of 5.5 to 7.0. This copolymer is soluble at pH 7.0 and        above. Eudragit L-100 may also be used, which has a pH-dependent        solubility profile between that of Eudragit L-30D-55 and        Eudragit S-100, insofar as it is insoluble at a pH below 6.0. It        will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that Eudragit        L-30D-55, L-100-55, L-100, and S-100 can be replaced with other        acceptable polymers having similar pH-dependent solubility        characteristics. Other preferred Eudragit polymers are cationic,        such as the Eudragit E, RS, and RL series polymers. Eudragit        E100 and E PO are cationic copolymers of dimethylaminoethyl        methacrylate and neutral methacrylates (e.g., methyl        methacrylate), while Eudragit RS and Eudragit RL polymers are        analogous polymers, composed of neutral methacrylic acid esters        and a small proportion of trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate.

Copolymers of any of the above may also be used herein, as will beappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Plasticizers:

Suitable plasticizers and softeners include, by way of illustration andnot limitation: alkyl and aryl phosphates such as tributyl phosphate,trioctyl phosphate, tricresyl phosphate, and triphenyl phosphate; alkylcitrates and citrate esters such as trimethyl citrate, triethyl citrateand acetyl triethyl citrate, tributyl citrate and acetyl tributylcitrate, acetyl triethyl citrate, and trihexyl citrate; alkylglycerolates; alkyl glycolates; dialkyl adipates such as dioctyl adipate(DOA; also referred to as bis(2-ethylhexyl)adipate), diethyl adipate,di(2-methylethyl)adipate, and dihexyl adipate; dialkyl phthalates,dicycloalkyl phthalates, diaryl phthalates and mixed alkyl-arylphthalates, including phthalic acid esters, as represented by dimethylphthalate, diethyl phthalate, dipropyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate,di(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate, di-isopropyl phthalate, diamyl phthalate anddicapryl phthalate; dialkyl sebacates such as diethyl sebacate, dipropylsebacate, dibutyl sebacate and dinonyl sebacate; dialkyl succinates suchas diethyl succinate and dibutyl succinate; dialkyl tartrates such asdiethyl tartrate and dibutyl tartrate; glycol esters and glycerol esterssuch as glycerol diacetate, glycerol triacetate (triacetin), glycerolmonolactate diacetate, methyl phthalyl ethyl glycolate, butyl phthalylbutyl glycolate, ethylene glycol diacetate, ethylene glycol dibutyrate,triethylene glycol diacetate, triethylene glycol dibutyrate andtriethylene glycol dipropionate; hydrophilic surfactants, preferablyhydrophilic non-ionic surfactants such as, for example, partial fattyacid esters of sugars, polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters,polyethylene glycol fatty alcohol ethers, and polyethylene glycolsorbitan-fatty acid esters, as well as non-ionic surfactants such asethylcellosolve; lower alcohols from ethyl to octyl; sorbitol; tartaricacid esters such as dibutyl tartrate; and mixtures thereof.

A preferred plasticizer for use in conjunction with the presentinvention is a bifunctional oligomer that is “complementary” to thefilm-forming polymer as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,576,712 toFeldstein et al., cited earlier herein. Preferably, the complementaryoligomer is terminated with hydroxyl groups, amino or carboxyl groups.The oligomer typically has a glass transition temperature T_(g) in therange of about −100° C. to about −30° C. and a melting temperature T_(m)lower than about 20° C. The oligomer may be also amorphous. Thedifference between the T_(g) value of the film-forming polymer and thatof the complementary oligomer is preferably greater than about 50° C.,more preferably greater than about 100° C., and most preferably in therange of about 150° C. to about 300° C. Generally, the oligomer willhave a molecular weight in the range from about 45 to about 800,preferably in the range of about 45 to about 600. Examples of suitableoligomers include, but are not limited to, low molecular weightpolyalcohols (e.g. glycerol), oligoalkylene glycols such as ethyleneglycol and propylene glycol, ether alcohols (e.g., glycol ethers),alkane diols from butane diol to octane diol, includingcarboxyl-terminated and amino-terminated derivatives of polyalkyleneglycols. Polyalkylene glycols, optionally carboxyl-terminated, arepreferred herein, and polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight inthe range of about 300 to 600 is an optimal complementary oligomer.

The compositions of the invention may also include two or moreplasticizers in combination, e.g., triethyl citrate and tributylcitrate, triethyl citrate and polyethylene glycol 400, polyethyleneglycol 400 and dioctyl phthalate, etc.

Representative Compositions:

An illustrative composition includes poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (“PVP”)as the film-forming polymer and polyethylene glycol (“PEG”) as thecarcass-like non-covalent crosslinker. Mixing a PVP-PEG adhesive blendwith a ladder-like non-covalent crosslinker that is a moderatelyhydrophilic or water-insoluble polymer results in the decrease of blendhydrophilicity and dissolution rate. In order to decrease thedissolution rate further or to obtain insoluble mixtures, the PVP-PEGblend can be mixed with polymers that bear complementary (with respectto PVP) reactive functional groups in their repeating units. Since thePVP contains proton-accepting carbonyl groups in its repeating units,the complementary functional groups are preferably proton-donating,hydroxyl or carboxyl groups. Thus, for use with PVP and PEG, suitableladder-like non-covalent crosslinkers are long chain polymers such aspolyvinyl alcohols, polyacrylic acids, polymethacrylic acids, homo- andco-polymers thereof, as well as sulfonic acid and alginic acid.

Another illustrative composition uses a copolymer of methacrylic acidand methyl methacrylate as the ladder-like non-covalent crosslinker withthe PVP/PEG noted above. This composition is used to facilitate inunderstanding the principles of the invention.

The PVP-PEG complex combines high cohesive toughness (due to PVP-PEGH-bonding) with a large free volume (resulting from considerable lengthand flexibility of PEG chains). In order to emphasize enhanced freevolume in the PVP-PEG blend, this type of complex structure is definedas a “carcass-like” structure (see FIG. 1). The carcass-like structureof the complex, results from the location of reactive functional groupsat both ends of PEG short chains. When the ladder-like non-covalentcrosslinker contains reactive functional groups in repeating units ofthe backbone, the resulting complex has so-called “ladder-like”structure (see FIG. 2). The ladder-like type of interpolymeric complexwas first described by Kabanov et al. (1979) Vysokomol. Soed.21(A):243-281). While the formation of the carcass-like complex leads toenhanced cohesive strength and free volume (which determines theadhesive properties of PVP-PEG blends), the formation of the ladder-likecomplex shown in FIG. 2 is accompanied by the loss of blend solubilityand the increase of cohesive strength coupled with the decrease in freevolume. For this reason, the structure of the ladder-like complexprovides no adhesion.

Due to the decrease in free volume and the increase in cohesive energy,the PVP-PEG blend mixed with a long chain polymer giving the ladder-likecomplex with PVP, provides no or negligible initial tack. However, asthe non-adhesive PVP-PEG blend with the long chain polymer isplasticized by water, the glass transition temperature of the blendshifts toward lower values, which are typical features ofpressure-sensitive adhesives, and adhesion arises.

There are certain preferred combinations of components in the adhesivecomposition. For example, when the film-forming polymer is apoly(N-vinyl lactam) such as poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) or poly(N-vinylcaprolactam), the ladder-like crosslinker is preferably a poly(dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate), poly(dialkyl aminoalkyl methacrylate), polyacrylicacid, polymethacrylic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, poly(hydroxyalkylacrylate), or poly(hydroxyalkyl methacrylate) such as poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate).

Similarly, when the film-forming polymer is a poly(dialkyl aminoalkylacrylate), poly(dialkyl aminoalkyl methacrylate), polyacrylic acid,polymethacrylic acid, polymaleic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylphenol, or poly(hydroxyalkyl acrylate) such as poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate), the ladder-like crosslinker is preferably a poly(dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate, poly(dialkyl aminoalkyl methacrylate), poly(N-vinyllactam) such as poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) or poly(N-vinyl caprolactam),as well as a copolymer of poly(N-dialkylamino alkyl acrylate) with alkylacrylate, polyethylene oxide, methacrylate or ethacrylate monomers, or acopolymer of poly(N-dialkylamino alkyl methacrylate) and alkyl acrylate,methacrylate or ethacrylate monomers.

For any of the aforementioned combinations, a preferred carcass-likecrosslinker is an oligomeric alkylene glycol comprising about 1-20alkylene oxide units in its chain such as polyethylene glycol,carboxyl-terminated oligomeric alkylene glycol such ascarboxyl-terminated poly(ethylene glycol), or polyhydric alcohols.

Other examples of suitable blends are shown in the following table:film-forming carcass-like polymer ladder-like crosslinker crosslinkerPVCap Eudragit L 100, PAA, PMA, PEG and carboxyl PVA, polyvinyl phenoland terminated PEG PolyHEMA PNIPAM Eudragit L 100, L 100-55, PEG andcarboxyl S-100, PAA, PMA, alginic terminated PEG acid, PVA, and PolyHEMAPEO Eudragit L 100, L 100-55, Propylene glycol, S-100, PAA, PMA, alginicGlycerol, PEG, PEG- acid, GANTREZ ES-225, diacid GANTREZ ES-425,polyvinyl phenol PAA, PMA Eudragit E-100* and PEG polyvinyl amineEudragit PAA, PMA, Eudragit L 100, Carboxyl terminated E-100* L 100-55,S 100 and alginic PEG, carbonic di- and acid polyvalent acids***Eudragit E-100 is a copolymer of 2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate,butyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate 2:1:1, commercially availablefrom Röhm Pharma Polymers**As described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,576,712

To illustrate the approach used herein, a PVP-PEG-Eudragit blend wasused as a typical example, although the approach is general and can beeasily reproduced using other water-soluble, hydrophilic polymers.

The properties of adhesive polymer blends were evaluated and are setforth in the examples. The behavior of these polymer blends was found tobe typical of covalently crosslinked polymers. However, in contrast tocovalently crosslinked systems, the triple polymer blends combining thecarcass-like and the ladder-like non-covalent crosslinkers can be easilyprepared using a straightforward process, and, furthermore, providefilm-forming properties that are unattainable using chemicallycrosslinked polymers.

Additives:

The adhesive compositions of the invention may also include one or moreconventional additive, which may be combined with the polymers and theplasticizer during adhesive formulation or incorporated thereafter.Optional additives include, without limitation, fillers, pH regulatingagents, ionizing agents, tackifiers, detackifying agents, electrolytes,antimicrobial agents, antioxidants, preservatives, colorants, flavors,and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the compositions ofthe invention may also include a pharmacologically active agent or acosmeceutically active agent. For instance, transdermal, transmucosal,and topical delivery systems in which an adhesive composition of theinvention serves as a drug reservoir and/or skin contact adhesive layermay be formulated for the delivery of a specific pharmacologicallyactive agent. Cosmeceutical products such as tooth whitening gels andstrips may be formulated for the delivery of one or more tooth-whiteningagents. Examples of such products are described in pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/936,887 to Feldstein et al. for “Method ofPreparing Polymeric Adhesive Compositions Utilizing the Mechanism ofInteraction Between The Polymer Components, filed Sep. 8, 2004, and U.S.patent application Ser. No. ______ to Singh et al. for “SustainedRelease Tooth Whitening Systems and Formulations,” filed Dec. 21, 2004,the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

Absorbent fillers may be advantageously incorporated to control thedegree of hydration when the adhesive is on the skin or other bodysurface. Such fillers can include microcrystalline cellulose, talc,lactose, kaolin, mannitol, colloidal silica, alumina, zinc oxide,titanium oxide, magnesium silicate, magnesium aluminum silicate,hydrophobic starch, calcium sulfate, calcium stearate, calciumphosphate, calcium phosphate dihydrate, woven and non-woven paper andcotton materials. Other suitable fillers are inert, i.e., substantiallynon-adsorbent, and include, for example, polyethylenes, polypropylenes,polyurethane polyether amide copolymers, polyesters and polyestercopolymers, nylon and rayon. A preferred filler is colloidal silica,e.g., Cab-O-Sil® (Cabot Corporation, Boston Mass.).

Compounds useful as pH regulators include, but are not limited to,glycerol buffers, citrate buffers, borate buffers, phosphate buffers,and citric acid-phosphate buffers. Buffer systems are useful to ensure,for instance, that the pH of a composition of the invention iscompatible with that of an individual's body surface.

Ionizing agents are also useful to impart a desired degree of ionizationto the interpolymer complex within the adhesive compositions of theinvention. Suitable ionizing agents are acids and bases, depending onthe group to be ionized. The acids and bases may be inorganic(hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sodium hydroxide, potassiumhydroxide, sodium carbonate, ammonium carbonate, etc.) or organic(acetic acid, maleic acid, triethylamine, ethanolamine, etc.).

Tackifiers can also be included to improve the adhesive and tackproperties of the compositions of the invention. The mechanismunderlying tack improvement results from the large size and hydrophobiccharacter of tackifier molecules. Exemplary tackifying materials includetacky rubbers such as polyisobutylene, polybutadiene, butyl rubber,polystyrene-isoprene copolymers, polystyrene-butadiene copolymers, andneoprene (polychloroprene). Other examples of suitable tackifiers hereinare those that are conventionally used with pressure sensitiveadhesives, e.g., rosins, rosin esters, polyterpenes, and hydrogenatedaromatic resins. In those embodiments wherein adhesion is to be reducedor eliminated, conventional detackifying agents may also be used.Suitable detackifiers include crosslinked poly(vinylpyrrolidone), silicagel, bentonites, and so forth.

Preferred thickeners herein are naturally occurring compounds orderivatives thereof, and include, by way of example: collagen;galactomannans; starches; starch derivatives and hydrolysates; cellulosederivatives such as methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose,hydroxyethyl cellulose, and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose; colloidalsilicic acids; and sugars such as lactose, saccharose, fructose andglucose. Synthetic thickeners such as polyvinyl alcohol,vinylpyrrolidone-vinylacetate-copolymers, polyethylene glycols, andpolypropylene glycols may also be used.

The compositions of the invention can be rendered electricallyconductive for use in biomedical electrodes and other electrotherapycontexts, i.e., to attach an electrode or other electrically conductivemember to the body surface. For example, the composition may be used toattach a transcutaneous nerve stimulation electrode, an electrosurgicalreturn electrode, or an EKG electrode to a patient's skin or mucosaltissue. These applications involve modification of the composition so asto contain a conductive species. Suitable conductive species areionically conductive electrolytes, particularly those that are normallyused in the manufacture of conductive adhesives used for application tothe skin or other body surface, and include ionizable inorganic salts,organic compounds, or combinations of both. Examples of ionicallyconductive electrolytes include, but are not limited to, ammoniumsulfate, ammonium acetate, monoethanolamine acetate, diethanolamineacetate, sodium lactate, sodium citrate, magnesium acetate, magnesiumsulfate, sodium acetate, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, calciumsulfate, lithium chloride, lithium perchlorate, sodium citrate andpotassium chloride, and redox couples such as a mixture of ferric andferrous salts such as sulfates and gluconates. Preferred salts arepotassium chloride, sodium chloride, magnesium sulfate, and magnesiumacetate, and potassium chloride is most preferred for EKG applications.Although virtually any amount of electrolyte may be present in theadhesive compositions of the invention, it is preferable that anyelectrolyte present be at a concentration in the range of about 0.1 toabout 15 wt. % of the hydrogel composition. The procedure described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,846,558 to Nielsen et al. for fabricating biomedicalelectrodes may be adapted for use with the hydrogel compositions of theinvention, and the disclosure of that patent is incorporated byreference with respect to manufacturing details. Other suitablefabrication procedures may be used as well, as will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art.

Antimicrobial agents may also be added to the compositions of theinvention. Antimicrobial agents function by destroying microbes,preventing their pathogenic action, and/or inhibiting their growth.Desirable properties of antimicrobial agents include, but are notlimited to: (1) the ability to inactivate bacteria, viruses and fungi,(2) the ability to be effective within minutes of application and longafter initial application, (3) cost, (4) compatibility with othercomponents of composition, (5) stability at ambient temperature, and (6)lack of toxicity.

Antioxidants may be incorporated into the compositions of the inventionin lieu of or in addition to any antimicrobial agent(s). Antioxidantsare agents that inhibit oxidation and thus prevent the deterioration ofpreparations by oxidation. Suitable antioxidants include, by way ofexample and without limitation, ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate,butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, hypophophorous acid,monothioglycerol, sodium ascorbate, sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate andsodium metabisulfite and others known to those of ordinary skill in theart. Other suitable antioxidants include, for example, vitamin C,butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), sodiumbisulfite, vitamin E and its derivatives, propyl gallate, sulfitederivatives, and others known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Other preservatives that can be incorporated into the presentcompositions include, by way of example, p-chloro-m-cresol, phenylethylalcohol, phenoxyethyl alcohol, chlorobutanol, 4-hydroxybenzoic acidmethylester, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid propylester, benzalkonium chloride,cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorohexidine diacetate or gluconate,ethanol, and propylene glycol.

It will be appreciated that because the adhesive compositions of theinvention are useful in a variety of contexts, the desirability or needfor certain additives may differ depending on the intended use. Theapplications in which the adhesive compositions of the invention areuseful include, for example: drug delivery systems; wound dressings;conductive hydrogels; pressure-relieving cushions for application to theskin including heel cushions, elbow pads, knee pads, shin pads, forearmpads, wrist pads, finger pads, corn pads, callus pads, blister pads,bunion pads, and toe pads, all of which can include active agents;intraoral applications such as tooth whitening strips, breath fresheningfilms, and oral care products to treat sore throat, sores within themouth, gingivitis, periodontal and oral infections, periodontal lesions,or dental caries or decay; adhesives for affixing medical devices,diagnostic systems and other devices to a body surface; sealants forostomy devices, prostheses, and face masks; sound, vibration, and impactabsorbing materials; carriers in cosmetic and cosmeceutical gelproducts; and many other uses known to or readily ascertainable by thoseof ordinary skill in the art, or as yet undiscovered.

Manufacturing Methodologies:

The properties of the compositions of the invention are readilycontrolled by adjusting one or more parameters during fabrication. Forexample, the adhesive strength of the composition can be increased,decreased, or eliminated during manufacture, by varying the type and/orquantity of different components, or by changing the mode ofmanufacture. It should also be noted that compositions prepared using aconventional melt extrusion process generally, although not necessarily,exhibit somewhat different properties relative to compositions preparedusing a solution cast technique; for example, melt extrusion istypically more useful for preparing adhesive compositions that havinglower tack than corresponding adhesive compositions prepared usingsolution casting.

The compositions described herein are generally melt extrudable, andthus may be prepared using a simple blending and extruding process. Thecomponents of the composition are weighed out and then admixed, forexample using a Brabender or Baker Perkins Blender, generally althoughnot necessarily at an elevated temperature, e.g., about 90 to 170° C.,typically 100 to 140° C. Solvents or water may be added if desired. Theresulting composition can be extruded using a single or twin extruder,or pelletized. Alternatively, the individual components can be meltedone at a time, and then mixed prior to extrusion. The composition can beextruded to a desired thickness directly onto a suitable substrate orbacking member. The composition can be also extruded first, and then bepressed against a backing member or laminated to a backing member. Areleasable liner may also be included. The thickness of the resultingfilm, for most purposes, will be in the range of about 0.050 to 0.80 mm,more usually in the range of about 0.37 to 0.47 mm.

Alternatively, the compositions may be prepared by solution casting, byadmixing the components in a suitable solvent, e.g., a volatile solventsuch as ethyl acetate, or lower alkanols (e.g., ethanol, isopropylalcohol, etc.) are particularly preferred, at a concentration typicallyin the range of about 35 to 60% w/v. The solution is cast onto asubstrate, backing member or releasable liner, as above. Both admixtureand casting are preferably carried out at ambient temperature. Thematerial coated with the film is then baked at a temperature in therange of about 80 to 100° C., optimally about 90° C., for time period inthe range of about one to four hours, optimally about two hours.

In selecting the components for incorporation into an adhesivecomposition of the invention, the film-forming hydrophilic polymer isselected first. Then, a complementary multifunctional polymer, withrecurring functional groups capable of noncovalent bonding to therecurring polar groups within at least one linear segment of thehydrophilic polymer is selected. The complementary multifunctionalpolymer serves as a “ladder-like” noncovalent crosslinker in thatnoncovalent bonding to the film-forming polymer results in the formationof a ladder-like interpolymer complex. The plasticizer is then selected,which, as noted elsewhere herein, is a bifunctional linear oligomercapable of forming a bridge between a polar group on one film-formingpolymer chain and a polar group on a second film-forming polymer chain,thereby forming a “carcass-like” crosslinked complex. The amount of thefilm-forming polymer is greater than the amount of the complementarymultifunctional polymer and is also greater than the amount of thebifunctional linear oligomer.

Optional additives, including pharmacologically active agents andcosmeceutical agents, can be combined with the polymers and oligomerduring adhesive preparation. Alternately, an additive can be added afterthe components are mixed and the composition prepared. One method ofloading the composition with an active agent, for example, involvesproviding a layer of the composition on a substrate, coating the layerwith a solution of the active agent, placing a release liner on top ofthe active agent layer, and allowing the active agent to become absorbedby the composition.

Experimental:

The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinaryskill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how tomanufacture the adhesive compositions of the invention, and are notintended to limit the scope of that which the inventors regard as theinvention. Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect tonumbers (e.g., amounts, temperatures, etc.) but some errors anddeviations should be accounted for. Unless indicated otherwise, partsare parts by weight, temperature is in degrees Celsius (° C.), andpressure is at or near atmospheric.

The abbreviations used in the examples are as follows:

-   -   AA: adipic acid (Aldrich)    -   ATBC: acetyltributyl citrate (Rohm America Inc.)    -   ATEC: acetyltriethyl citrate (Rohm America Inc.)    -   Cab-O-Sil M5: synthetic silicone dioxide supplied with Cabot        Corporation in the form of finely micronized powder.    -   Carbopol 974: chemically crosslinked polyacrylic acid (Noveon,        Inc.)    -   Eudragit E100: N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate copolymer (Rohm        America Inc.)    -   Eudragit L 100-55: methacrylic acid copolymer (Rohm America        Inc.)    -   Eudragit L 100: methacrylic acid copolymer (Rohm America Inc.)    -   Eudragit S 100: methacrylic acid copolymer (Rohm America Inc.)    -   Gantrez ES-425: monobutyl ether of maleic acid—methylvinyl ether        copolymer (ISP)    -   Gantrez S-97: maleic acid—methylvinyl ether copolymer (ISP)    -   HPC: hydroxypropylcellulose    -   HPMCP: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate    -   Kollidon CLM: physically crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone        supplied with BASF in the form of finely micronized powder.    -   Oppanol B-15: polyisobutylene (PIB) M_(w)=75,000 g/mol (BASF)    -   PVP K90: Kollidon® 90F polyvinylpyrrolidone (BASF)    -   PVP K30: Kollidon® 30F polyvinylpyrrolidone (BASF)    -   PEG 400: polyethylene glycol 400    -   Sylvagum RE 85K: glycerol ester of tall oil rosin (Arizona        Chemical)    -   TBC: tributyl citrate (Rohm America Inc.)    -   TEC: triethyl citrate (Rohm America Inc.)

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation and Properties of Adhesive Compositions Based onthe Ladder-Like Interpolymer Complexes

In the present example, Eudragit E-100 is used as the film-formingpolymer, which is a copolymer of 2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate(DMAEMA), butyl methacrylate, and methyl methacrylate (2:1:1). Themonomer units of DMAEMA are capable of forming electrostatic bonds withcarboxyl groups in the ladder-like crosslinker, Eudragit L 100-55 andEudragit S-100 (copolymer of methacrylic acid with methyl methacrylate(1:2). In this way, these blends represent triple blends of two Eudragitgrade polymers (E-100 and L 100-55, or S-100) with appropriateplasticizers of hydrophobic units in Eudragit, such as tributyl citrate(TBC), triethyl citrate (TEC), acetyltributyl citrate (ATBC) andacetyltriethyl citrate (ATEC) (see Scheme in FIG. 4). Blend composition,wt. % Ladder-like Film-forming crosslinker: Carcass- Sol Sam- polymer:Eudragit L like Fraction, Swell ple Eudragit E-100 100-55 or S-100crosslinker % Ratio 1a 68 L 100-55 PEG-400 25.5 2.75 7 25 1b 68 L 100-55TBC 15.06 2.45 7 25 1c 68 L 100-55 TEC 18.62 2.64 7 25 1d 68 S-100 TEC19.67 1.15 7 25 1e 62.5 L 100-55 TEC 27.86 3.31 12.5 25 1f 62.5 S-100TEC 26.88 4.43 12.5 25

Preparation of films. Required amounts of TEC, Eudragit E100 andEudragit L100-55 as indicated in Table Ex-1 were dissolved in ethanolunder vigorous stirring. Ethanol/Eudragit E100 weight ratio was 7/3 inall cases. The mixture was stirred over 2 hours to obtain homogeneoussolution. The solution was stored over 5 hours to let air bubblesdissipate. Polymer films were prepared by solution casting onto a PETbacking with following drying at ambient temperature over 3 days. Filmsof 0.20±0.04 mm thickness were obtained.

Mechanical and adhesive properties of the Eudragit E100/EudragitL100-55/TEC films were tested with Tensile and Probe Tack Tests asindicated above. The values of maximum stress and maximum work ofadhesive debonding for the tested films are documented in the TableEx-1, whereas relevant tensile test and probe tack stress-strain curvesare presented in FIG. 5-7. TABLE Example 1 Composition Eudragit EudragitMaximum E-100, L 100-55, TEC, W_(debonding) stress, grams grams gramsJ/m² MPa Ex 1-1 68.2 6.8 25 3 0.24 Ex 1-2 59.1 5.9 35 31 0.44 Ex 1-3 505 45 40 0.44 Ex 1-4 45.5 4.5 50 41 0.29 Ex 1-5 36.4 3.6 60 22 0.16

Pressure sensitive adhesives based on Eudragit E-100—Eudragit L-100-55blends with plasticizer were first described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,063,399by Assmus et al. Although in this patent no indications were made thatthis formulation belongs to a broader class of interpolymer complexadhesives, we consider the Example 9 of present invention as areference. As has been noted by Assmus et al., adhesive properties ofthe blends are the function of their compositions. In order to obtainthe tools manipulating the adhesion and to offer a range of othersadhesives that were not yet disclosed in literature, in this example wehave to gain an insight into the functions of every blend component inthe control of adhesion.

Characteristics of tensile stress-strain curves make possible theevaluation of cohesive strength in terms of ultimate tensile stressunder fracture of adhesive film, whereas free volume may be assessedqualitatively in terms of maximum elongation under rupture. The areaunder stress-strain curve represents the work of viscoelastic polymerdeformation up to break, and this value correlates to the work ofadhesive debonding (see Feldstein M. M. “Molecular Fundamentals ofPressure-Sensitive Adhesion” in Benedek I. “Development and Manufactureof Pressure-Sensitive Products”, Marcel Dekker, N.Y., 2005, Chapter 4,pp. 179-215. As follows from the tensile stress-strain curves in FIG. 5,mixing the film-forming polymer with ladder-like crosslinker in a ratioof [FFP][LLC]=10:1 leads to dramatic increase of cohesive strength (thevalue of ultimate stress increases by 6.6 times), whereas the freevolume drops appreciably (the value of maximum elongation decreases by afactor of 4.3).

Adhesive properties of binary Eudragit E-100 and Eudragit L-100-55blends with appropriate plasticizers were the subjects of U.S. Pat. No.5,133,970 by Petereit & Roth and U.S. Pat. No. 5,296,512 by Beier etal., respectively. As the results of probe tack testing have shown (FIG.6), at comparatively low plasticizer concentration (25 wt. %) the blendof Eudragit E-100 and Eudragit L-100-55 copolymers exhibits low tack andadhesive mechanism of debonding without fibrillation. With the rise ofplasticizer content, the peak stress grows rapidly achieving the maximumat 35-45 wt. % of TEC. Respectively, and maximum elongation at probedetachment increases. However, if a peak value of stress passes throughmaximum at 35-45 wt. % of plasticizer concentration, the total amount ofdissipated energy has maximum at 45-50 wt. % of TEC, when fibrillationprocess is much more elaborated and the blend demonstrates appreciableelongational flow. Following increase in the plasticizer concentrationleads to cohesively weak compositions, which leave a remainder ofadhesive on probe surface upon debonding.

Technology of polymer blends enables easy manipulating the specificbalance between the cohesive strength and fluidity of adhesive compositeby the increase in the content of ladder-like crosslinker. As followsfrom the stress-strain curves presented in FIG. 7, binary blend of thefilm-forming polymer (Eudragit E-100) with 35 wt. % of plasticizer TECthat contains no crosslinker is highly tacky fluid and debondscohesively at high values of relative elongation leaving the remainderof the adhesive at the surface of probe. Mixing the film-forming polymerwith complementary ladder-like crosslinker in a ratio of [FFP][LLC]=10:1leads to immediate change of debonding mechanism from cohesive toadhesive, while the tack (maximum stress) is mainly controlled by thefilm-forming polymer.

EXAMPLE 2 Improvement of Adhesion of the Ladder-Like PlasticizedInterpolymer Complex by Incorporation of Tackifiers

U.S. Pat. No. 6,063,399 by Assmus et al. does not describe all the toolsnecessary to enhance the adhesion of triple Eudragit E-100—EudragitL-100-55—TEC blends. One of such tools is mixing the EudragitE-100—Eudragit L-100-55—TEC blends with tackifiers. Owing to optimumhydrophilic-hydrophobic balance, the amphiphilic adhesives based onEudragit E-100—Eudragit L-100-55 complexes turned out to be misciblewith tackifiers, which are extensively used in adhesive technology toimprove tack. As follows from the data shown in Table and FIG. 8, addingthe tackifier Sylvagum RE 85K (glycerol ester of tall oil rosin)improves essentially the adhesive performance of blended adhesive. Whileplasticizers contribute mainly to the increase of material capability todevelop large deformations under detaching stress, the tackifierenhances appreciably its cohesive strength by the increase in σ_(max)value. Ex. Plasti- W_(deb), σ_(max), No. FFP LLC cizer Tackifier J/m²MPa 2a Eudragit None Acetyl- SYLVAGUM 104 0.6 E-100, tributyl RE85K,59.1 Citrate, Resin, 5.9 35 2b Eudragit Eudragit L Triethyl SYLVAGUM 320.6 E-100, 100-55, 5.7 citrate, RE85K, 57.3 30 Resin, 7 2c EudragitEudragit L Triethyl SYLVAGUM 20 0.66 E-100, 100-55, 6.2 citrate, RE85K,61.8 25 Resin, 7 2d Eudragit Eudragit L Triethyl SYLVAGUM E-100, 100-55,7.1 citrate, RE85K, 70.9 15 Resin, 7

The data presented by Examples 2e-2g and illustrated in FIG. 9demonstrate the effect of tackifier concentration (SYLVAGUM RE85K Resin)on adhesive properties of FFP, Eudragit E-100, plasticized with 25 wt %of ATBC in the absence of any LLC. Adding the tackifier results in theincrease of tack that goes through a maximum at 25% SYLVAGUMconcentration. Ex. W_(deb), σ_(max), No. FFP Plasticizer Tackifier J/m²MPa 2e Eudragit E- Acetyltributyl SYLVAGUM 10 0.48 100, 70 Citrate, 25RE85K, Resin, 5 2f Eudragit E- Acetyltributyl SYLVAGUM 26 0.8 100, 60Citrate, 25 RE85K, Resin, 15 2g Eudragit E- Acetyltributyl SYLVAGUM 430.97 100, 50 Citrate, 25 RE85K, Resin, 25

Examples 2h-2i exhibit how dramatic is the gain in adhesion if using thetackifier SYLVAGUM is accompanied with the increase of plasticizerconcentration. Ex. W_(deb), σ_(max), No. FFP Plasticizer Tackifier J/m²MPa 2h Eudragit E- Acetyltributyl SYLVAGUM 11 0.4 100, 68.2 Citrate, 25RE85K, Resin, 6.8 2i Eudragit E- Acetyltributyl SYLVAGUM 104 0.6 100,59.1 Citrate, 35 RE85K, Resin, 5.9

Examples 2k-2m demonstrate how the adhesion of Eudragit E-100—EudragitL-100 55 blends (10:1) may be optimized by the combined effect of theplasticizer and the tackifier: Ex. Plasti- W_(deb), σ_(max), No. FFP LLCcizer Tackifier J/m² MPa 2k Eudragit E- Eudragit Triethyl SYLVAGUM 320.6 100, 57.3 L-100-55 Citrate, RE85K, 5.7 30 Resin, 7 2l Eudragit E-Eudragit Triethyl SYLVAGUM 20 0.66 100, 61.8 L-100-55 Citrate, RE85K,6.2 25 Resin, 7 2m Eudragit E- Eudragit Triethyl SYLVAGUM 120 1.23 100,52.4 L-100-55 Citrate, RE85K, 2.6 25 Resin, 5.9

As is seen from the data presented in FIG. 10, SYLVAGUM Resin is not asingle tackifier that is miscible with Eudragit E-100—Eudragit L-100-55ladder-like electrostatic complex, plasticized with TEC. An alternativetackifier, which is miscible with this blend, is Oppanol B15, a PIB ofaverage molecular weight 75,000 g/mol.

EXAMPLE 3 Adhesive Compositions Based on the Carcass-Like Complex ofEudragit E-100 Polybase and its Combination with the Ladder-LikeElectrostatic Crosslinking

The film forming polymer, exemplified in this description with EudragitE-100 polybase, may be converted into the form of pressure sensitiveadhesive not only by plasticizing with TEC, but and by adding into thisblend higher carboxylic acids having 8 to 20 carbon atoms anddicarboxylic acids having 2 to 8 carbon atoms (U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,970to Petereit and Roth). As follows from the data presented in Table Ex.3(see examples 3a and 3b), the blends of Eudragit E-100 with TEC andadipic acid (AA, dicarboxylic acid having 6 carbon atoms) are good skincontact adhesives. Forming two electrostatic bonds through both terminalcarboxyl groups at AA short chain, the AA acts as the carcass-likecrosslinker of trialkylamino groups in Eudragit E-100 polybase.Additional incorporation of AA into the plasticized ladder-like EudragitE-100—Eudragit L-100-55 complex gives the blends outlined by Ex. 3c-3f(FIG. 11), which are good bioadhesives demonstrating the tack to highlymoistened biological substrates such as teeth and oral mucosa. As isevident from the probe tack curves presented in FIG. 11, the less thecontent of the LLC (Eudragit L-100-55), the higher the adhesion. Becausethe junctions of carcass-like network consist of single electrostaticbonds in contrast to the ladder-like network, where the junctions arecomposed of a sequence of multiple bonds (see scheme in FIG. 4), thecarcass like network can be easier ruptured and reformed than theladder-like network. For this reason the adhesives involving thecarcass-like type of non-covalent crosslinking are much easier solublein water than the structures based on the ladder-like complex. TABLEEXAMPLE 3 Properties of compositions involving adipic acid (AA) as acarcass-like crosslinker of Eudragit E-100 polybase. INVESTIGATEDPROPERTIES Ratios, SF, % SR Example % buffer Adhesion to W_(adh),σ_(max), No. Components Wt pH = 5, 6 teeth cheek gums arm J/m² MPa 3a EuE-100 67 FD* YES NO NO YES 200 1.25 Adipic acid 8 TEC 25 3b Eu E-100 60FD YES NO YES YES 150 0.9 Adipic acid 15 TEC 25 3c Eu E-100 61 73.6 3.6YES YES YES NO 23 0.8 Eu L-100-55 6 Adipic acid 8 TEC 25 3d Eu E-10054.5 FD YES YES YES NO 19 0.6 Eu L-100-55 5.5 Adipic acid 15 TEC 25 3eEu E-100 63.8 FD YES NO NO NO 64 1.26 Eu L-100-55 3.2 Adipic acid 8 TEC25 3f Eu E-100 57 FD YES NO NO NO 59 0.99 Eu L-100-55 3 Adipic acid 15TEC 25*Fully dissolving

Other appropriate carcass-like crosslinkers of Eudragit E-100 FFP havebeen found to be PEG-dicarboxylic acid and diacids having 2 to 6 carbonatoms between the carboxyl groups.

EXAMPLE 4 Enhancement of Adhesion by Partial Ionization of Film-FormingEudragit E-100 Polymer and Ladder-Like Crosslinker (Eudragit L-100-55)

Another and highly effective tool to enhance the adhesion of EudragitE-100—Eudragit L-100-55—TEC blends, which also is not explored by theabove mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,063,399 by Assmus et al., is outlined bysalutary impact of partial ionization of polyelectrolyte macromoleculeswithin the interpolymer complex. The amphiphilic adhesives based onEudragit E-100—Eudragit L-100-55 blends involve two complementarypolyelectrolytes: polyacid and polybase. The film-forming polymer,Eudragit E-100, represents the latter. Accordingly, the adhesion ofEudragit E-100—Eudragit L-100-55 adhesives can be affected by partialionization of both polyacid and polybase macromolecules.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the procedure of partial ionization of theEudragit E-100 polybase and Eudragit L-100-55 polybase withcorresponding amounts of neutralizing agents, HCl and NaOH,respectively. In order to determine the amounts of acid and alkalineeded for partial ionization of relevant polyelectrolyte to desirableextent, titration curve first must be measured. Taking into account thatthe jump in pH corresponds to 100% ionization of the polyelectrolyte,the amount of neutralizing agent needed for 20% ionization of thepolyelectrolyte constitutes a fifth fraction of total (equivalent)amount of the acid or alkali.

As is evident from the data presented in Table Ex. 4, the tack isessentially improved with treatment of Eudragit L-100-55 by NaOHsolution. The tack improvement becomes comparatively negligible asionization degree exceeds 5%. TABLE EXAMPLE 4 Ex. W_(deb), σ_(max), No.FFP LLC Plasticizer pH modifier J/m² MPa 4a Eudragit E-100, 61.8Eudragit L 100-55, 6.2 Triethyl citrate, 25 NaOH 5% ionization 18.5 0.734b Eudragit E-100, 61.8 Eudragit L 100-55, 6.2 Triethyl citrate, 25 NaOH10% ionization 20 0.77 4c Eudragit E-100, 59.1 Eudragit L 100-55, 5.9Triethyl citrate, 35 NaOH 5% ionization 54 0.83 4d Eudragit E-100, 59.1Eudragit L 100-55, 5.9 Triethyl citrate, 35 NaOH 10% ionization 57 0.974e Eudragit E-100, 61.8 Eudragit L 100-55, 6.2 Triethyl citrate, 25 HCl5% ionization 23 0.82 4f Eudragit E-100, 61.8 Eudragit L 100-55, 6.2Triethyl citrate, 25 HCl 10% ionization 68 1.3 4g Eudragit E-100, 59.1Eudragit L 100-55, 5.9 Triethyl citrate, 35 HCl 5% ionization 50 0.82 4hEudragit E-100, 59.1 Eudragit L 100-55, 5.9 Triethyl citrate, 35 HCl 10%ionization 77 0.93

As is seen from the stress-strain curves in FIG. 14, for comparativelyductile adhesives (exemplified here by the composition containing 35 wt.% of plasticizer), which reveal fibrillation (a plateau on thestress-strain curves), partial ionization of film-forming polybaseEudragit E-100 by HCl solution enhances the cohesive strengthdramatically and the adhesive debonds without fibrillation. The maximumelongation in the point of debonding first decreases with 5% ionizationand then increases again (at 10% ionization), implying that undercomparatively small degree of polymer chain ionization the enhancementof cohesive strength is a predominant factor, whereas further increasein the ionization degree is accompanied with formation of large freevolume. The enhancement of cohesive strength tends to a maximum above10% of the ionization of film-forming polymer.

By comparing the probe tack data presented in FIG. 14, 15 and in theTable Ex. 4, it may be seen that qualitatively the mechanisms of tackenhancement by ionization of the ladder-like crosslinker and thefilm-forming polymer are similar. However, as follows from the datashown in FIG. 15, in quantitative terms the effect of ionization of thefilm-forming polybase on adhesion is much stronger than that observedfor the ladder-like crosslinking polyacid.

If both the film-forming polymer and the ladder-like crosslinker arepreliminary ionized by treating respectively with HCl and NaOHsolutions, then the ionic bonding between cationic groups of EudragitE-100 copolymer and anionic groups of Eudragit L-100—55 copolymercontributes to the adhesive behavior of the interpolymer complex alongwith hydrogen bonds formed between uncharged groups. As follows from thedata shown in FIG. 16, in this case the adhesive properties of thecomplex are intermediate between those featured for the complexinvolving partial ionization of either the film-forming polymer or theladder-like crosslinker. Effects of macromolecular ionization on thetack of adhesive composites involving polyelectrolytes have never beenearlier reported.

Partial 10% ionization of the ladder-like crosslinker (EudragitL-100-55) in interpolymer complex with film-forming Eudragit E-100polymer does not affect the swelling and dissolution of the adhesive.However, the 10% ionization of the film-forming polymer with HClsolution results in appreciable increase of swell ratio from 3.5 to22.5, while the amount of soluble fraction has comparativelyinsignificant effect on the value of sol fraction.

If the polybase and polyacid in the ladder-like Eudragit E-100—EudragitL-100-55 complex are interchanged in such a way that the polyacid(Eudragit L-100-55) serves as the film-forming polymer and the polybase(Eudragit E-100) is the ladder-like crosslinker, adhesive materialswherein the treatment with NaOH has a greater effect on adhesion andsorption are obtained.

EXAMPLE 5 Improvement of Adhesion of PVP-PEG-Eudragit L-100-55 Blends byMeans of Partial Ionization of the Ladder-Like Crosslinker

The hydrogen bonded interpolymer complexes combining the ladder-like andcarcass-like types of noncovalent crosslinking, shown in schematic formin FIG. 3, share the properties of pressure-sensitive adhesives andbioadhesives (see U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/936,887 toFeldstein et al. for “Method of Preparing Polymeric AdhesiveCompositions Utilizing the Mechanism of Interaction Between The PolymerComponents, filed Sep. 8, 2004). The effect of partial ionization ofEudragit L100-55 on adhesive properties of PVP/PEG/Eudragit L100-55 isdemonstrated by present example.

Preparation of films. 30 g of PEG400 was dissolved in 280 g ofwater/ethanol (1:1) mixture. Required amount of sodium hydroxide wasdissolved (as indicated in the Table Ex-5.). Under vigorous stirring 12g of Eudragit L100-55 powder was added followed by adding 58 g of PVP(K90) powder. The mixture was stirred over 2 hours to obtain homogeneoussolution. The solution was stored over 5 hours to let air bubblesdissipate. Polymer films were prepared by solution casting onto a PETbacking with following drying at ambient temperature over 3 days. Filmsof 0.20+0.04 mm in thickness were obtained. Water content in the filmswas measured gravimetrically by weight loss at 120° C. Films withhydration degree 12±0.5 wt % were obtained. TABLE Example 5 EudragitEudragit PVP, PEG 400, L100-55, NaOH, L100-55 grams grams grams gramsionization, % Ex 5-1 58 30 12 0 0 Ex 5-2 58 30 12 0.129 5 Ex 5-3 58 3012 0.258 10 Ex 5-4 58 30 12 0.516 20

As is obvious from the stress-strain curves in FIG. 17, partialionization of the ladder-like crosslinker in the blends with PVP-PEGcarcass-like complex improves the adhesion appreciably but does notchange the mechanism of adhesive deformation under debonding process.The latter remains to be adhesive (no remainder of adhesive material ata probe surface upon debonding). Improvement of tack and adhesion tendsto a maximum at 10% ionization of the ladder-like crosslinker. Suchmechanism of tack improvement has been also established for the firsttime.

EXAMPLE 6 Others Adhesive Compositions Based on Plasticized Ladder-LikeInterpolymer Complexes

Eudragit E-100 is a typical and comparatively well-studied but notunique representative of polybases suitable for the formulation ofadhesives based on the ladder-like interpolymer complexes withpolyacids. Others appropriate polybases include homopolymers andcopolymers of vinyl amine or chitosan among polyelectrolytes, and PVP orPNIPAM among non-polyelectrolytes. As an example, following Tableoutlines the adhesive properties of the blends of high molecular weightPVP K-90 (film-forming polymer) with Eudragit L-100-55 as ladder-likecrosslinker, plasticized with TEC. The inverted composition wherein theEudragit L-100-55 serves as the film-forming polymer and the PVP as theladder-like crosslinker was also prepared and characterized. Thesecompositions differ from that described in Examples 1-3 by the lack ofcarcass-like crosslinker and, consequently, represent others examples ofthe adhesives based on ladder-like interpolymer complexes shownschematically in FIG. 4. The compositions were prepared bycasting-drying method from ethanol solutions. Ex. W_(deb), σ_(max), No.FFP LLC Plasticizer J/m² MPa 6a PVP K-90 Eudragit L 100- Triethyl 240.77 60.2 55, 9.8 citrate, 30 6b PVP K-90 Eudragit L 100- Triethyl 550.97 50.1 55, 9.9 citrate, 40 6c Eudragit L PVP K-90 Triethyl 44 0.80100-55, 61.1 10.9 citrate, 30

In following composition the Eudragit E-100 was selected as film-formingpolymer (polybase) and Gantrez S-97 as the ladder-like crosslinker(polyacid). The latter is a copolymer of maleic acid with methylvinylether (1:1). TEC was used as plasticizer. Under vigorous stirring thepowder of Gantrez S-97 polymer was slowly added into the 30% ethylalcohol solution of Eudragit E-100, that was previously mixed with TEC(plasticizer), until a homogeneous dispersion was obtained. Thesemitransparent, homogeneous film was obtained using simple casting anddrying procedure of the previously obtained dispersion under ambienttemperature. Prepared films contained 25 wt % of TEC, while EudragitE-100—Gantrez S-97 ratio was varied. FIG. 18 compares the probe tackstress-strain curves for the Eudragit E-100—Gantrez S-97 ladder-likecomplex with the curve featured for Eudragit E-100—Eudragit L-100-55composition plasticized with equivalent amount of TEC.

As follows from the curves demonstrated in FIG. 18, replacement of theEudragit L-100-55 ladder-like crosslinker in the complex with EudragitE-100 film-forming polymer for much more hydrophilic Gantrez S-97copolymer improves the tack significantly.

While the water-absorbing capacity (measured in terms of Swell Ratio,SR, which is a ratio of the weight of gel in swollen state to the dryweight of gel fraction) for amphiphilic adhesives based on plasticizedladder-like Eudragit E-100—Eudragit L-100-55 complexes is comparativelylow, ranging from 3 to 6 in dependence on composition, it dramaticallyaffected by the nature of the ladder-like crosslinker. As the data inFIG. 19 have shown, replacement of comparatively hydrophobic EudragitL-100-55 by much more hydrophilic Gantrez S-97 leads to the increase ofSwell Ratio from 4.4 to 89.2. In this way, moderately absorbing adhesivecompositions based on the ladder-like complexes may be easily modifiedto give super-absorbing adhesives. The super-absorbing adhesives,outlined by this invention, represent a new class of pharmaceuticalmaterials.

Other suitable ladder-like crosslinkers for Eudragit L-100-55 polymerare alginic acids and carboxyl-containing cellulose derivatives such asHPMCP. Their mixing with Eudragit L-100-55 in solutions can besignificantly facilitated by partial ionization of relevant polymers.

Eudragit E-100 is not unique polybase that can be used as FFP in theblends with Eudragit L-100-55 polybase. Other suitable candidates as FFPin plasticized ladder-like complexes are the Eudragit RS and EudragitRL. The Eudragit RS is a copolymer of trimethylammonioethylmethacrylatechloride (0.1) with ethylacrylate (1) and methylmethacrylate (2),available from Rohm Pharma Polymers. The Eudragit RL is a copolymer oftrimethylammonioethyl methacrylate chloride with ethylacrylate andmethylmethacrylate (0.2:1:2), available from Rohm Pharma Polymers aswell. Although both TL and RS polymer contain ionic groups, they areinsoluble in water due to high concentration of hydrophobic polymerunits. The Eudragit RL and RS polymers are capable to form ionic bondswith polymer units bearing negative charge (carboxylate anions).Appropriate ladder-like crosslinker for such polymers is ionizedEudragit L-100-55.

Next Table demonstrates the composition of adhesive blend prepared usingEudragit RL and Eudragit RS polymers: Composition % wt. Eudragit RL 49.1Eudragit RS 16.4 TEC 28.0 Eudragit L100-55 6.5 Fully ionized

Under vigorous stirring the appropriate amount of Eudragit RL wasdissolved in the ethanol solution of Eudragit RS. Under stirring therequired amount of the plasticizer tributyl citrate (TBC) was added intothe ethanol solution of two base polymers Eudragit RL and Eudragit RS.Fully ionized Eudragit L100-55 was then dissolved in the blend ofEudragit RL/Eudragit RS/TBC. The homogeneous film was obtained usingcasting and drying procedure of the previously obtained solution.Prepared composition feature the values of Sol fraction of 4.3% andSwell ratio of 2.5. The homogeneous film is initially nontacky butadheres strongly to teeth surface providing good adhesive contact thatis stable during 4 hours.

Another appropriate polybase forming the ladder-like complexes withpolyacids is chitosan.

EXAMPLE 7 Effect of the Nature of Plasticizers on Adhesive Propertiesand Water-Absorbing Capacity of Eudragit E-100—Eudragit L-100-55 Complex

FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate the influence of hydrophilicity ofplasticizers on the adhesive and water absorption properties of thecompositions based on the interpolymer complex between Eudragit E-100polybase Eudragit L-100-55 polyacid. As is evident from the probe tackprofiles presented in FIG. 20, more hydrophilic plasticizers (TEC andATEC) demonstrate more ductile mechanism of deformation under debondingstress, developing higher values of maximum elongation compared to morehydrophobic TBC and TBC, which behave like solid adhesives and deformwithout fibrillation. The adhesion, measured in terms of the work ofdebonding, decreases in a row ATEC≈TEC>ATBC>TBC.

Correspondingly, the swell ratio of the blends of Eudragit E100—EudragitL100-55 with plasticizers TEC, ATEC, TBC, ATBC, decreases with thedecrease in their hydrophilicity in the row TEC>ATEC>TBC>ATBC. It isworthy of note, that the nature of plasticizers affects the waterabsorbing capacity in a smaller extent than the adhesion.

EXAMPLE 8 Hydrophilization of Amphiphilic Adhesives Based on EudragitE-100—Eudragit L-100-55 Complexes

As has been shown above, adhesive blends based on plasticized EudragitE-100—Eudragit L-100-55 complexes are miscible with such hydrophobicplasticizers and tackifiers as PIB (Oppanol B-15) (See FIG. 10). Becausethe monomer units in Eudragit E-100—Eudragit L-100-55 complexes combinepolar hydrophilic and non-polar lipophylic entities, these adhesivesbelong to the class of amphiphilic materials and are also miscible withhydrophilic and even hygroscopic polymers and filers. Hydrophilizationof amphiphilic Eudragit E-100—Eudragit L-100-55 adhesives represents animportant tool to enhance their water-absorbing capacity and modify theadhesion.

The data presented in Table Ex. 8.1 and shown in FIGS. 22 and 23demonstrate the effect of mixing with hydrophilic PVP and with itsadhesive blends with PEG-400 on adhesion and water absorbing capacity ofEudragit E-100—Eudragit L-100-55 interpolymer complex, plasticized with25 wt. % of TEC. Under vigorous stirring, necessary amount of EudragitL100-55 was dissolved in the ethanol solution of Eudragit E100. Then theplasticizer (TEC) was dissolved in the ethanol solution of two parentpolymers. Under stirring the appropriate amount of low molecular weightPVP or low molecular weight PVP blend with PEG-400 was dissolved in theethanol solution of E100/L100-55 blend with TEC. The films were obtainedby casting drying procedure as described above. TABLE Example 8.1Compositions and properties of Eudragit E-100 - Eudragit L-100 -55blends with plasticizer TEC and hydrophylizing agents, PVP and PVP-PEGEx. W_(deb), σ_(max), No. FFP LLC Plasticizer Additive Sol SR J/m² MPa8a Eudragit E-100, Eudragit L 100-55, Triethyl citrate PVP K 30, 53.49.5 none none 58.0 5.8 21.2 15 8b Eudragit E-100, Eudragit L 100-55,Triethyl citrate, PVP K 30, 51.7 8.1 none none 54.1 5.4 25.5 15 8cEudragit E-100, Eudragit L 100-55, Triethyl citrate, PVP K 30 PEG 40063.8 10.9 20 0.73 52.2 5.2 19.2 15 8.4 8d Eudragit E-100, Eudragit L100-55, Triethyl citrate, PVP K 30 PEG 400 60.5 7.1 59.7 0.98 48.7 4.923.0 15 8.4

The films of Eudragit E100/Eudragit L100-55/TEC blends with PVP K-30were semitransparent indicating of their heterogeneous structure. Thesefilms had poor or no initial tack in contrast to the blends with PVP-PEGcarcass-like complex (FIG. 23). These latter films were homogeneous andtransparent.

As is evident from the data presented in Table Ex. 8.1 and FIG. 22,mixing with both PVP and PVP-PEG blends leads to an appreciable increasein water absorbing capacity of the adhesive materials.

The data in Tables 8.2-8.5 illustrate other approaches towards adhesivematerials of controlled water-absorbing capacity based on ladder-likeinterpolymer complexes.

Eudragit E100/TEC/Carbopol:

Preparation of films. Required amount of Eudragit E100 was dissolved inethyl acetate (3 parts of Eudragit E100 were dissolved in 7 parts ofethyl acetate). Required amount of TEC (as indicated in the Table 8.2)was added under vigorous stirring to obtain homogeneous solution(Solution I). In a separate jar required amount of Carbopol 974 (asindicated in the Table 8.2) was suspended in ethyl acetate (2 parts ofCarbopol 974 were suspended in 5 parts of ethyl acetate) to obtainSolution II. Carbopol 974 is a chemically crosslinked polyacrylic acid.Different grades of Carbopol polymers are supplied with Noveon, Inc. inthe form of finely micronized powder. Under vigorous stirring SolutionII was added into Solution I, and the mixture was stirred over 20 min.Polymer films were prepared by solution casting onto a PET backing withfollowing drying at ambient temperature over 3 days. Films of 0.15±0.04mm in thickness were obtained. TABLE Example 8.2 Example Eudragit E100TEC Carbopol 974 Swell ratio 1 65 25 10 4.6 2 55 25 20 12.8 3 45 25 3020.4 4 40 30 30 23.7

In the examples 8.2 and 8.3 the Carbopol serves both as a ladder-likecrosslinker and hydrophilizing agent.

Eudragit RS/RL/TEC/Carbopol

Preparation of films. Required amounts of Eudragit RS, Eudragit RL (asindicated the Table 8.3) were dissolved in ethyl acetate (3 parts of thesum of Eudragit RS and Eudragit RL were dissolved in 7 parts of ethylacetate). Required amount of TEC (as indicated the Table 8.3) was addedunder vigorous stirring to obtain homogeneous solution (Solution I). Ina separate jar required amount of Carbopol 974 (as indicated in theTable 8.3) was suspended in ethyl acetate (2 parts of Carbopol 974 weresuspended in 5 parts of ethyl acetate) to obtain Solution II. Undervigorous stirring Solution II was added into Solution I, and the mixturewas stirred over 20 min. Polymer films were prepared by solution castingonto a PET backing with following drying at ambient temperature over 3days. Films of 0.20±0.04 mm thickness were obtained. TABLE Example 8.3Eudragit Eudragit Ex. RS RL TEC Carbopol 974 Swell ratio 1 45 15 30 102.9 2 37.5 12.5 30 20 5.3 3 37.5 12.5 20 30 6.8 4 30 10 20 40 13.4

In the example 8.4 the Kollidon CLM serves as a ladder-like crosslinkerand hydrophilizing agent.

Eudragit RS/RL/TEC/Kollidon CLM

Preparation of films. Required amounts of Eudragit RS, Eudragit RL (asindicated in the Table 8.4) were dissolved in ethyl acetate (3 parts ofthe sum of Eudragit RS and Eudragit RL were dissolved in 7 parts ofethyl acetate). Required amount of TEC (as indicated in the Table 8.4)was added under vigorous stirring to obtain homogeneous solution(Solution I). In a separate jar required amount of Kollidon CLM (asindicated in the Table 8.4) was suspended in ethyl acetate (2 parts ofKollidon CLM were suspended in 5 parts of ethyl acetate) to obtainSolution II. Kollidon CLM is physically crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidonesupplied with BASF in the form of finely micronized powder. Undervigorous stirring Solution II was added into Solution I, and the mixturewas stirred over 20 min. Polymer films were prepared by solution castingonto a PET backing with following drying at ambient temperature over 3days. Films of 0.20±0.04 mm thickness were obtained. TABLE Example 8.4Kollidon Example Eudragit RS Eudragit RL TEC CLM Swell ratio 1 45 15 3010 2.3 2 41.25 13.75 30 15 3.1 3 45 15 20 20 4.0 4 37.5 12.5 20 30 4.8

In the example 8.5 the Cab-O-Sil M5 serves as a hydrophilizing agent.

Eudragit RS/RL/TEC/Cab-O-Sil M5

Preparation of films. Required amounts of Eudragit RS, Eudragit RL (asindicated in the Table 8.5) were dissolved in ethyl acetate (3 parts ofthe sum of Eudragit RS and Eudragit RL were dissolved in 7 parts ofethyl acetate). Required amount of TEC (as indicated in the Table 8.5)was added under vigorous stirring to obtain homogeneous solution(Solution I). In a separate jar required amount of Cab-O-Sil M5 (asindicated in the Table 8.5) was suspended in ethyl acetate (2 parts ofCab-O-Sil M5 were suspended in 5 parts of ethyl acetate) to obtainSolution II. Cab-O-Sil M5 is synthetic silicone dioxide supplied withCabot Corporation in the form of finely micronized powder. Undervigorous stirring Solution II was added into Solution I, and the mixturewas stirred over 20 min. Polymer films were prepared by solution castingonto a PET backing with following drying at ambient temperature over 3days. Films of 0.20±0.04 mm thickness were obtained. TABLE Example 8.5Cab-O-Sil Example Eudragit RS Eudragit RL TEC M5 Swell ratio 1 49.5 16.530 4 2.2 2 46.5 15.5 30 8 2.8 3 43.5 14.5 30 12 3.8

The value of Swell Ratio featured for parent Eudragit RL/RS—TEC blend isaround 2.0. As the data in Tables Ex. 8.3-8.5 have shown, thehydrophilization of the blends with crosslinked water absorbents such asCarbopol 974, Kollidon CLM and Cab-O-Sil M5 results only incomparatively insignificant increase in Swell Ratio. This is most likelydue to very low water permeability of hydrophobic film based on EudragitRL/RS polymers. However, the materials described in the Examples 8-3-8.5may be useful as a carriers of hydrogen peroxided solution in teethwhitening strips. For this purpose, the hydrophilic filler (Carbopol974, Kollidon CLM or Cab-O-Sil M5) should be impregnated with thehydrogen peroxide solution before incorporation into the Eudragit RL/RSfilm. This film provides good tack and adhesion toward hydrated toothsurface.

EXAMPLE 9 Performance Properties of Adhesive Compositions Based onInterpolymer Complexes Compared to the Properties of ConventionalPressure Sensitive Adhesives and Bioadhesives

The properties of the triple blend hydrogels of the invention(PVP-PEG-Eudragit L 100-55), were compared with those of the PVP-PEGbinary blends, described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,576,712, and with those ofconventional pressure sensitive adhesives (“PSA”; DURO-TAK® 34-4230,National Starch and Chemicals) and classical bioadhesives (covalentlycrosslinked polyacrylic acid polymers Carbopol® 974P and Noveon® AA1,both from B.F. Goodrich, Co.).

Adhesives Based on Interpolymer Complexes Compared to Hydrophobic PSAsand Bioadhesives

water soluble hydrophilic amphiphilic U.S. Pat. No. Examples ExamplesAttribute PSA Bioadhesives 6,576,712 1-8 9-12 ADHESION, N/M 300-600370-550 140-710 in dry state None 50-70 10-30 in hydrated state None10-60 300-550 100-300

UBILITY IN Insoluble Insoluble, Soluble Insoluble, Insoluble, WATERSwellable Swellable Swellable Water sorption Less 1% 98% Non limited 96%17-85% capacity Film-forming Yes No Yes Yes Yes capability Elasticitymodulus, 1.0-5.0 0.09-0.9 1.3-5.0 0.4-40 1.0-7.3 Pa × 10⁵

AXIMUM 22 More than 30 22 2.7 1.71

ONGATION Ultimate tensile 16 0.01 12 30.4 5 strength, MPa LogarithmYield 4.1 2.6 3.7-4.9 5.0 Not stress, MPa Available

PSAs, exemplified above by the SIS block-copolymer based DURO-TAK®34-4230 adhesive, represent a special class of viscoelastic polymers.They are capable of forming a strong adhesive bond with varioussubstrates under application of a slight external pressure over a shorttime (1-2 seconds). It is noteworthy that the typical PSAs for human useare mainly based on hydrophobic elastomers with low glass transitiontemperatures, ranging from −120 to −30° C., which are usually increasedby addition of tackifying resins. The common property of the PSAs is aloss of adhesion as the surface of a substrate is moistened. For thisreason, conventional PSAs cannot be used for application to highlyhydrated and soft biological tissues such as oral mucosa. For thispurpose, hydrophilic bioadhesives are usually employed, which aregenerally nontacky in the dry state, but adhere to wet substrates. Theadhesive strength of such bioadhesives, however is usually much lowerthan that of the PSAs.

As is seen from this data, the adhesives of varioushydrophilic-hydrophobic balances outlined by present invention andobtained by non-covalent crosslinking of film-forming hydrophilicpolymers share the properties of both pressure sensitive adhesives andbioadhesives. Indeed, while their adhesive strength is typical of thePSAs, it has increased adhesion towards moistened substrate likebioadhesives. Varying the hydrogel composition and degree of ionizationof ionogenic polymers can easily provide the further control ofadhesive, water sorption and mechanical properties of the products basedon non-covalently crosslinked hydrogels.

FIG. 24 compares the peel adhesion towards dry and moistened humanforearm skin in vivo for conventional acrylic PSA and three grades ofadhesives based on interpolymer complexes. According to these data, theadhesive properties of polymer composites described in present inventionand in U.S. Pat. No. 6,576,712 share the properties of PSAs andbioadhesives by combining high adhesion featured for conventional PSAswith capability to adhere to moistened skin and biological tissuestypical of bioadhesives.

Stress-strain curves obtained in the course of Probe Tack Test are muchmore informative on the mechanisms of adhesive debonding than the peelforce traces presented in FIG. 21. In FIG. 25 the adhesive behaviors ofwater-soluble PVP-PEG adhesives (described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,576,712 byFeldstein et al.), PVP-PEG-Eudragit L-100-55 adhesive hydrogels(Examples 1-4) and the amphiphilic Eudragit E-100—Eudragit L-100-55adhesives plasticized by TEC and filled with tackifier Rosin (Example10) have been compared with the properties of two different grades ofconventional PSAs: SIS-based DURO-TAK® 34-4230 PSA and acrylic PSA (3M).

Being expressed in terms of maximum stress under debonding, the tack ofadhesives based on interpolymer complexes is comparable with thattypical of conventional PSAs. However, the distinctive feature of theadhesive blends described in this invention is the lower values ofmaximum elongation that results from non-covalent crosslinking of thechains of film-forming polymer. Because the carcass-like crosslinking issignificantly looser than the ladder-like crosslinking, it is no wonderthat the water-soluble PVP-PEG adhesive demonstrates higher stretchingat probe detachment than the adhesives involving the ladder-like type ofcrosslinking. In this connection it is pertinent to note that the maintools to increase fluidity and maximum elongation of the adhesivesprovided by the ladder-like crosslinking it is the dilution of networkdensity due to mixing with plasticizers, in the course of swelling inwater and also the decrease in concentration of the ladder-likecrosslinker.

EXAMPLE 10 Preparation of Adhesive Films by Direct Mixing of PolymericComponents Followed by Extrusion

The behavior of the hydrophilic and amphiphilic adhesives described inthis invention is typical of covalently crosslinked polymers. Incontrast to covalently crosslinked systems, however, the adhesives basedon interpolymer complexes can be easily prepared using a simplerblending process, and, furthermore, provide film-forming properties thatare unattainable using crosslinked polymers.

While above presented formulations were prepared by casting fromsolutions followed by drying, the adhesive films of the presentinvention can be also produced by direct mixing the components in drystate followed by extrusion. The mixing was provided using Thermo HaakeMixer, whereas the extrusion was performed with Skania Single-ScrewExtruder. The procedures of mixing and extrusion of the majorformulations described in this invention are presented below.

I. Preparation of the Compositions Outlined by Example 1

Following blend was prepared: Eudragit E 100 68.2 weight % Eudragit L100-55  6.8% TEC 25.0%

Procedures of mixing and extrusion are indicated in Tables 10.1 & 10.2:TABLE Example 10.1 Time, min. T_(mixture), ° C. N, rpm Torque N.mOperation 0-2 100 30    0-25 Loading of Eudragit E100 11 110 30 3   Thebeginning of loading premix “G”* with a rate of ˜1 ml/min 26 10-5 30    0-0.8  Decrease of temperature 38 91 30   0.7-0.8 The finishing ofloading of premix “G” 47 74 30 3.0 Closing the mixer chamber 62 66 60  3.0-4.5 Increase of stirring rate 68 67 30   3-4 Elevation oftemperature to 120° C. 80 120 0 — Stop*Premix “G” is Eudragit L-100-55 plasticized with TEC.

TABLE Example 10.2 Extrusion speed, Reducing Pressure, T_(zones)T_(roller) N, rpm mm/c step Bar 90/90/95 100 18 7.3 14 31-35

The following examples illustrate the applicability of interpolymercomplex adhesives for a range of pharmaceutical products.

EXAMPLE 11 Wound Dressings

The following samples illustrate how the hydrogel compositions of thisinvention may be used for silver-containing antimicrobial wounddressings. Wound dressings were prepared from the following ingredientsusing either a melt extrusion or casting/drying processes: Composition,wt. % Sam- Film-forming Ladder-like Carcass-like Silver salt ple polymercrosslinker crosslinker (1%) 11a Eudragit E-100, Eudragit L 100-55,Triethyl Silver 67.2 6.7 citrate, 25.0 sulfate 11b Eudragit L 100- PVP,9.9 PEG-400, Silver 55, 49.5 39.6 sulfate 11c Eudragit E-100, EudragitS-100, 6.7 Triethyl Silver 66.9 citrate, 24.9 sulfate 11d EudragitE-100, Eudragit L 100-55, Triethyl Silver 67.2 6.7 citrate, 25.0phosphate

All of the hydrogel samples were insoluble in water and exudate, butwere swellable, thus absorbing a great amount of exudate. Sample 11b wasinitially tacky and maintained a good adhesion toward dry and moderatelyexudating wounds, but could be removed from the skin without pain bywashing with a large amount of water. Samples 11a and 11c possessed aslight initial tack but became nontacky in a swollen state. Accordingly,sample 11b is useful for treatment of pressure, diabetic, arterial andvenous ulcers, whereas Samples 6a and 6c are more suited for coveringlarge, wet and infected wounds and burns.

Potentiometric method with Ag ion selective electrode was used to studysilver release from anti-microbial dressings. Aqueous solutions ofsilver nitrate in the concentration range 2.5*10⁻⁶-10⁻³ M were used tocalibrate the Ag ion selective electrode. Circular samples (withdiameter=1 inch, area=5 cm²) of anti-microbial films were die-cut andlaminated to glass plates by means of a double-sided scotch. The glassplate with the Ag release side upwards was placed into a beaker. 50 mlof distilled water was pored into the beaker. The obtained system wascovered with a petri-dish and placed into an oven-thermostat at 25±0.2°C. After specified time points the receptor solution in the beaker overthe sample was stirred and silver concentration was measured with the Agion selective electrode. After measurement the receptor solution wasremoved and replaced with 50 ml of distilled water. Cumulative Agrelease was calculated and expressed in □g per cm² of the anti-microbialdressing.

FIG. 26 demonstrates how the release kinetics of silver sulfate, as theactive agent, from the matrices in vitro were affected by the change inmatrix composition. All three hydrogel compositions provided differentdrug release profiles: Sample 11a delivered the highest amount of silversulfate; Sample 11b provided a fast release of the active agent duringthe onset period, followed by a rapid decrease of release rate withinsteady state stage; and Sample 11c provided zero-order release kinetics.Since various silver salts are characterized with different values ofsolubility product, it would be expected that different salts of silver,being incorporated into the same hydrogel matrix, may demonstratedifferent release kinetics.

FIG. 27 illustrates the effect of silver salts on release profile of Agion from the formulation outlined by Example 1d. In this case the matrixbased on Eudragit E-100—Eudragit L-100-55 ladder-like complex was loadedwith silver phosphate instead of silver sulfate. Since solubility ofsilver phosphate in the matrix is about three orders of magnitude lowerthan that of silver sulfate, the adhesive matrix loaded with silverphosphate provides prolonged release kinetics of anti-microbial agent.

EXAMPLE 12 Slowly Dissolving Matrices with Therapeutic Agents

The following compositions were prepared by dissolution in ethanol ofcomponents listed in the Table presented below, casting the solution anddrying at temperature of 50° C.

The samples use an acrylate polymer (Eudragit E100) as the film-formingpolymer. Sample 12a uses two ladder-like crosslinkers, an acrylatepolymer (Eudragit L 100—55) and a poly(N-vinyl lactam) (PVP 90), whileSample 12b only includes one ladder-like crosslinker, Eudragit L 100-55.Similarly, Sample 12a uses two carcass-like crosslinkers, an alkylcitrate (triethyl citrate) and a polyalkylene glycol (PEG 400), whileSample 12b only includes one carcass-like crosslinker, triethyl citrate.Component Sample 17a (wt %) Sample 17b (wt %) Eudragit E100 58.29%60.30% Triethyl citrate 26.10% 27.00% Eudragit L 100-55  2.61%  2.70%PVP 90  2.00% 0 PEG 400    1% 0 Lidocaine base   10%   10% Total   100%  100%

EXAMPLE 13 Liquid Film-Forming Bandages

Samples 13a-13d represent liquid compositions suitable for applicationto skin as liquid bandages. Sample 13a is a liquid formulation for toothwhitening which contains the insoluble film-forming polymer (EudragitRS) and plasticizer for this polymer tributylcitrate (TBC). Eudragit RSis a copolymer of trimethylammonioethylmethacrylate chloride (0.1) withethylacrylate (1) and methylmethacrylate (2), available from Rohm PharmaPolymers. Samples 13b-13d contain no ladder-like crosslinker for thehydrophilic polymer, Eudragit L 100-55. Actually, the ladder-likecrosslinker makes the polymer film insoluble. However, for thecompositions containing Eudragit RS as a film-forming polymer, theladder-like crosslinker of PVP was not a necessary component, becausethe blend is not soluble.

Sample 13e is a film-forming liquid formulation suitable for thetreatment of cold sores and canker sores. It contains Eudragit E-100 asa soluble film-forming polymer instead of PVP. Correspondingly, PEG-400is omitted from the formulation, because TBC is a good plasticizer forboth Eudragit RS and E-100.

Liquid bandage and cold sore compositions for skin applications (Samples10a-10e) may also contain active agents such as local anesthetics.Suitable local anesthetics include dibucaine hydrochloride; dibucaine;lidocaine hydrochloride; lidocaine; benzocaine; p-butylaminobenzoic acid2-(diethylamino) ethyl ester hydrochloride; procaine hydrochloride;tetracaine hydrochloride; chloroprocaine hydrochloride; oxyprocainehydrochloride; mepivacaine; cocaine hydrochloride; and piperocainehydrochloride.

Any natural or synthetic flavorants, such as those described inChemicals Used in Food Processing, Pub. No. 1274, National Academy ofSciences, pages 63-258, can be included in the compositions of theinvention. Suitable flavorants include wintergreen, peppermint,spearmint, menthol, fruit flavors, vanilla, cinnamon, spices, flavoroils (oil of cloves) and oleoresins, as known in the art, as well ascombinations thereof. The amount of flavorant employed is normally amatter of preference, subject to such factors as flavor type, individualflavor, and strength desired.

Samples 13c and 13e contain also a skin softening agent such as glycerolmonooleate (Peceol, Gattefosse, France). Composition, wt % InsolubleSoluble Ladder-like Carcass-like film-forming Plasticizer film-formingcrosslinker crosslinker Sample polymer (A) for (A) polymer (B) for (B)for (B) Additives Solvent 13a Eudragit TBC, PVP K-90, Eudragit L PEG,3.00 Sodium Ethanol, (Liquid Bandage) RS, 29.00 2.50 3.00 100-55, 2.20Citrate, 2.50 38.20 13b Eudragit TBC, PVP K-90, — PEG, — Ethanol,(Liquid Bandage) RS, 35.11 11.70 0.36 0.18 52.65 13c Eudragit TBC, PVPK-90, — PEG, 3.00; GMO, Ethanol, (Liquid Bandage) RS, 20.06 6.69 0.211,2-Propylene 14.29 30.09 Glycol, 28.57 13d Eudragit TBC, PVP K-17, —PEG, 1.14 — Ethanol, (Liquid Bandage) RS, 7.95 4.55 1.14 35.00 13eEudragit TBC, Eudragit E-100, — — GMO, Ethanol, (Cold Sore) RS, 33.00,11.00 11.00 10.00 44.00

1. A method for preparing a water-insoluble, water-absorbent adhesivecomposition, comprising combining, under conditions effective to form asubstantially homogeneous admixture: (a) a film-forming, hydrophilicpolymer comprising at least one linear segment containing a plurality ofrecurring polar groups; (b) a complementary multifunctional polymercontaining a plurality of recurring functional groups along the polymerbackbone, said recurring functional groups capable of noncovalentlybinding to the recurring polar groups so that a ladder-like interpolymercomplex is formed between the at least one linear segment and thecomplementary multifunctional polymer; and (c) a plasticizer capable ofplasticizing the film-forming polymer, wherein the weight fraction ofthe film-forming polymer in the admixture is greater than the weightfraction of either the complementary multifunctional polymer or theplasticizer.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plasticizer isselected from the group consisting of dialkyl phthalates, dicycloalkylphthalates, diaryl phthalates, mixed alkyl-aryl phthalates, alkylphosphates, aryl phosphates, alkyl citrates, citrate esters, alkyladipates, dialkyl tartrates, dialkyl sebacates, dialkyl succinates,alkyl glycolates, alkyl glycerolates, glycol esters, glycerol esters,and mixtures thereof.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the plasticizeris selected from dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dipropylphthalate, di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, di-isopropyl phthalate, diamylphthalate, dicapryl phthalate, tributyl phosphate, trioctyl phosphate,tricresyl phosphate, triphenyl phosphate, trimethyl citrate, triethylcitrate, tributyl citrate, acetyl triethyl citrate, trihexyl citrate,dioctyl adipate, diethyl adipate, di(2-methylethyl)adipate, dihexyladipate, diethyl tartrate, dibutyl tartrate, diethyl sebacate, dipropylsebacate, dinonyl sebacate, diethyl succinate, dibutyl succinate,glycerol diacetate, glycerol triacetate, glycerol monolactate diacetate,methyl phthalyl ethyl glycolate, butyl phthalyl butyl glycolate,ethylene glycol diacetate, ethylene glycol dibutyrate, triethyleneglycol diacetate, triethylene glycol dibutyrate, triethylene glycoldipropionate, and mixtures thereof.
 4. The method of claim 3, whereinthe plasticizer is selected from tributyl phosphate, trioctyl phosphate,triphenyl phosphate, trimethyl citrate, triethyl citrate, and tributylcitrate.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plasticizer is abifunctional, linear oligomer having a functional group at eachterminus, each of said terminal functional groups capable ofnoncovalently binding to one of the polar groups so that a bridgedinterpolymer complex is formed in which the bifunctional linear oligomerlinks two of said linear segments to each other.
 6. The method of claim1, further comprising extruding the admixture onto a substrate.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising combining a solvent withcomponents (a), (b), and (c) in an amount effective to provide asolution, casting the solution onto a substrate, and heating thesolution-coated substrate to volatilize the solvent and provide thesubstantially homogeneous adhesive admixture on the substrate.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein: the film-forming, hydrophilic polymerrepresents approximately 20 wt. % to approximately 95 wt. % of theadmixture; the complementary multifunctional polymer representsapproximately 0.5 wt. % to approximately 40 wt. % of the admixture; andthe bifunctional, linear oligomer represents approximately 1 wt. % toapproximately 50 wt. % of the admixture.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein the recurring functional groups, the terminal functional groups,or both the recurring functional groups and the terminal functionalgroups bind to the recurring polar groups through a mechanism selectedfrom hydrogen bonding, electrostatic bonding, and ionic bonding.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the recurring functional groups and therecurring polar groups are ionogenic.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein prior to forming the admixture, zero to approximately 30% of theionogenic groups are ionized.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein priorto forming the admixture, approximately 5% to approximately 10% of theionogenic groups are ionized.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein therecurring functional groups bind to the recurring polar groups viaelectrostatic bonding.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the recurringfunctional groups bind to the recurring polar groups via ionic bonding.15. The method of claim 1, wherein the recurring polar groups arependant groups.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the recurring polargroups comprise backbone heteroatoms.
 17. The method of claim 1, whereinthe recurring functional groups are pendant groups.
 18. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the recurring functional groups comprise backboneheteroatoms.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the molecular weight ofthe film-forming hydrophilic polymer is in the range of approximately20,000 to 3,000,000.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the molecularweight of the film-forming hydrophilic polymer is in the range ofapproximately 100,000 to 2,000,000.
 21. The method of claim 20, whereinthe molecular weight of the film-forming hydrophilic polymer is in therange of approximately 100,000 to 1,500,000.
 22. The method of claim 1,wherein the molecular weight of the complementary multifunctionalpolymer is in the range of approximately 10,000 to 1,000,000.
 23. Themethod of claim 22, wherein the molecular weight of the complementarymultifunctional polymer is in the range of approximately 100,000 to1,000,000.
 24. The method of claim 1, wherein: the recurring polargroups and the recurring functional groups are selected from hydroxyl,sulfhydryl, hydrocarbyloxy, acyl, acyloxy, hydrocarbyloxycarbonyl,carboxy, carboxylato, carbamoyl, cyano, isocyano, cyanato, isocyanato,formyl, amino, secondary amino, tertiary amino, pendant cyclic amino,quaternary ammonium groups, amido, alkylamido, arylamido, nitro, sulfo,sulfonato, hydrocarbylsulfanyl, phosphono, phosphonato, phosphinato,phospho, backbone nitrogen atoms, backbone oxygen atoms, and backbonesulfur atoms.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the recurring polargroups and the recurring functional groups are selected from hydroxyl,acyloxy, alkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxy, carboxylato, amino,alkylamino, dialkylamino, pendant cyclic amino, quaternary ammonium,sulfo, sulfonato, phosphono, and phosphonato.
 26. The method of claim 1,wherein: the film-forming hydrophilic polymer is selected frompoly(dialkyl aminoalkyl acrylates), poly(dialkyl aminoalkylmethacrylates), poly(N,N-dialkyl acrylamides), poly(vinyl amine),poly(alkylene imine), poly(N-vinyl acrylamide), poly(N-vinylalkylacrylamides), poly(trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate),poly(N-vinyl lactams), chitosan, copolymers thereof, and combinations ofany of the foregoing; and the complementary multifunctional polymer isselected from poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid), poly(maleicacid), poly(sulfonic acid), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl phenol),poly(ethylene oxide), poly(hydroxyalkyl methacrylates), cellulosederivatives, alginic acid, copolymers thereof, and combinations of anyof the foregoing.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein: the film-forminghydrophilic polymer is selected from poly(dialkyl aminoalkyl acrylates),poly(dialkyl aminoalkyl methacrylates), poly(N,N-dialkyl acrylamides),poly(trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate), poly(N-vinyl lactams),copolymers thereof, and combinations of an of the foregoing; and thecomplementary multifunctional polymer is selected from poly(acrylicacid), poly(methacrylic acid), poly(maleic acid), poly(hydroxyalkylmethacrylates), cellulose derivatives, copolymers thereof, andcombinations of any of the foregoing.
 28. The method of claim 1,wherein: the film-forming hydrophilic polymer is selected frompoly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid), poly(maleic acid),poly(sulfonic acid), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl phenol),poly(ethylene oxide), poly(hydroxyalkyl methacrylates), cellulosederivatives, alginic acid, copolymers thereof, and combinations of anyof the foregoing; and the complementary multifunctional polymer isselected from poly(dialkyl aminoalkyl acrylates), poly(dialkylaminoalkyl methacrylates), poly(N,N-dialkyl acrylamides), poly(vinylamine), poly(alkylene imine), poly(N-vinyl acrylamide), poly(N-vinylalkylacrylamides), poly(trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate),poly(N-vinyl lactams), chitosan, copolymers thereof, and combinations ofany of the foregoing.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein: thefilm-forming hydrophilic polymer is selected from poly(acrylic acid),poly(methacrylic acid), poly(maleic acid), poly(hydroxyalkylmethacrylates), cellulose derivatives, copolymers thereof, andcombinations of any of the foregoing; and the complementarymultifunctional polymer is selected from poly(dialkyl aminoalkylacrylates), poly(dialkyl aminoalkyl methacrylates), poly(N,N-dialkylacrylamides), poly(trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate), poly(N-vinyllactams), copolymers thereof, and combinations of any of the foregoing.30. The method of claim 1, wherein the film-forming hydrophilic polymeris an acrylic acid or methacrylic acid polymer or copolymer, thecomplementary multifunctional polymer is selected from poly(dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate), poly(dialkyl aminoalkyl methacrylate), andpoly(trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate) copolymers, and the plasticizeris a C₂-C₈ dicarboxylic acid.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein thefilm-forming hydrophilic polymer is a methacrylic acid—methacrylatecopolymer, the complementary multifunctional polymer is a copolymer ofdimethylaminoethyl methacrylate and a neutral methacrylate, and theplasticizer is adipic acid.
 32. The method of claim 5, wherein thebifunctional, linear oligomer has a molecular weight in the range ofapproximately 45 to approximately 800 g/mol.
 33. The method of claim 32,wherein the bifunctional, linear oligomer has a molecular weight in therange of approximately 45 to approximately 600 g/mol.
 34. The method ofclaim 5, wherein the terminal functional groups are selected fromhydroxyl, carboxy, and amino groups.
 35. The method of claim 34, whereinthe terminal functional groups are selected from hydroxyl and carboxygroups.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the terminal functionalgroups are hydroxyl groups.
 37. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising combining at least one optional additive with thefilm-forming hydrophilic polymer, the complementary multifunctionalpolymer, and the bifunctional, linear oligomer in the formation of theadmixture.
 38. The method of claim 37, wherein the at least one additiveincludes an active agent.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein theadditive is a pharmacologically active agent.
 40. The method of claim39, wherein the pharmacologically active agent is a drug.
 41. The methodof claim 38, wherein the additive is a cosmeceutically active agent. 42.The method of claim 41, wherein the cosmeceutically active agent is atooth whitening agent.
 43. The method of claim 37, wherein the at leastone additive is selected from fillers, pH regulating agents, ionizingagents, tackifiers, electrolytes, antimicrobial agents, antioxidants,preservatives, colorants, and combinations thereof.
 44. Awater-insoluble, water-absorbent adhesive composition, comprising ablend of: (a) a film-forming, hydrophilic polymer comprising at leastone linear segment containing a plurality of recurring polar groups; (b)a complementary multifunctional polymer containing a plurality ofrecurring functional groups along the polymer backbone, said recurringfunctional groups capable of noncovalently binding to the recurringpolar groups so that a ladder-like interpolymer complex is formedbetween the at least one linear segment and the complementarymultifunctional polymer; and (c) a plasticizer capable of plasticizingthe film-forming polymer, wherein the weight fraction of thefilm-forming polymer in the blend is greater than the weight fraction ofeither the complementary multifunctional polymer or the plasticizer. 45.The composition of claim 44, wherein the plasticizer is selected fromthe group consisting of dialkyl phthalates, dicycloalkyl phthalates,diaryl phthalates, mixed alkyl-aryl phthalates, alkyl phosphates, arylphosphates, alkyl citrates, citrate esters, alkyl adipates, dialkyltartrates, dialkyl sebacates, dialkyl succinates, alkyl glycolates,alkyl glycerolates, glycol esters, glycerol esters, and mixturesthereof.
 46. The composition of claim 45, wherein the plasticizer isselected from dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dipropyl phthalate,di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, di-isopropyl phthalate, diamyl phthalate,dicapryl phthalate, tributyl phosphate, trioctyl phosphate, tricresylphosphate, triphenyl phosphate, trimethyl citrate, triethyl citrate,tributyl citrate, acetyl triethyl citrate, trihexyl citrate, dioctyladipate, diethyl adipate, di(2-methylethyl)adipate, dihexyl adipate,diethyl tartrate, dibutyl tartrate, diethyl sebacate, dipropyl sebacate,dinonyl sebacate, diethyl succinate, dibutyl succinate, glyceroldiacetate, glycerol triacetate, glycerol monolactate diacetate, methylphthalyl ethyl glycolate, butyl phthalyl butyl glycolate, ethyleneglycol diacetate, ethylene glycol dibutyrate, triethylene glycoldiacetate, triethylene glycol dibutyrate, triethylene glycoldipropionate, and mixtures thereof.
 47. The composition of claim 46,wherein the plasticizer is selected from tributyl phosphate, trioctylphosphate, triphenyl phosphate, trimethyl citrate, triethyl citrate, andtributyl citrate.
 48. The composition of claim 44, wherein theplasticizer is a bifunctional, linear oligomer having a functional groupat each terminus, each of said terminal functional groups capable ofnoncovalently binding to one of the polar groups so that a bridgedinterpolymer complex is formed in which the bifunctional linear oligomerlinks two of said linear segments to each other.
 49. The composition ofclaim 44, wherein: the film-forming, hydrophilic polymer representsapproximately 20 wt. % to approximately 95 wt. % of the blend; thecomplementary multifunctional polymer represents approximately 0.5 wt. %to approximately 40 wt. % of the blend; and the bifunctional, linearoligomer represents approximately 1 wt. % to approximately 50 wt. % ofthe blend.
 50. The composition of claim 44, wherein the recurringfunctional groups, the terminal functional groups, or both the recurringfunctional groups and the terminal functional groups bind to therecurring polar groups through a mechanism selected from hydrogenbonding, electrostatic bonding, and ionic bonding.
 51. The compositionof claim 50, wherein the recurring functional groups and the recurringpolar groups are ionogenic.
 52. The composition of claim 51, whereinzero to approximately 30% of the ionogenic groups are ionized.
 53. Thecomposition of claim 52, wherein approximately 5% to approximately 10%of the ionogenic groups are ionized.
 54. The composition of claim 51,wherein the recurring functional groups bind to the recurring polargroups via electrostatic bonding.
 55. The composition of claim 51,wherein the recurring functional groups bind to the recurring polargroups via ionic bonding.
 56. The composition of claim 44, wherein therecurring polar groups are pendant groups.
 57. The composition of claim44, wherein the recurring polar groups comprise backbone heteroatoms.58. The composition of claim 44, wherein the recurring functional groupsare pendant groups.
 59. The composition of claim 44, wherein therecurring functional groups comprise backbone heteroatoms.
 60. Thecomposition of claim 44, wherein the molecular weight of thefilm-forming hydrophilic polymer is in the range of approximately 20,000to 3,000,000.
 61. The composition of claim 60, wherein the molecularweight of the film-forming hydrophilic polymer is in the range ofapproximately 100,000 to 2,000,000.
 62. The composition of claim 61,wherein the molecular weight of the film-forming hydrophilic polymer isin the range of approximately 100,000 to 1,500,000.
 63. The compositionof claim 44, wherein the molecular weight of the complementarymultifunctional polymer is in the range of approximately 10,000 to1,000,000.
 64. The composition of claim 63, wherein the molecular weightof the complementary multifunctional polymer is in the range ofapproximately 100,000 to 1,000,000.
 65. The composition of claim 44,wherein: the recurring polar groups and the recurring functional groupsare selected from hydroxyl, sulfhydryl, hydrocarbyloxy, acyl, acyloxy,hydrocarbyloxycarbonyl, carboxy, carboxylato, carbamoyl, cyano,isocyano, cyanato, isocyanato, formyl, amino, secondary amino, tertiaryamino, pendant cyclic amino, quaternary ammonium groups, amido,alkylamido, arylamido, nitro, sulfo, sulfonato, hydrocarbylsulfanyl,phosphono, phosphonato, phosphinato, phospho, backbone nitrogen atoms,backbone oxygen atoms, and backbone sulfur atoms.
 66. The composition ofclaim 65, wherein the recurring polar groups and the recurringfunctional groups are selected from hydroxyl, acyloxy, alkoxy,alkoxycarbonyl, carboxy, carboxylato, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino,pendant cyclic amino, quaternary ammonium, sulfo, sulfonato, phosphono,and phosphonato.
 67. The composition of claim 44, wherein: thefilm-forming hydrophilic polymer is selected from poly(dialkylaminoalkyl acrylates), poly(dialkyl aminoalkyl methacrylates),poly(N,N-dialkyl acrylamides), poly(vinyl amine), poly(alkylene imine),poly(N-vinyl acrylamide), poly(N-vinyl alkylacrylamides),poly(trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate), poly(N-vinyl lactams),chitosan, copolymers thereof, and combinations of any of the foregoing;and the complementary multifunctional polymer is selected frompoly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid), poly(maleic acid),poly(sulfonic acid), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl phenol),poly(ethylene oxide), poly(hydroxyalkyl methacrylates), cellulosederivatives, alginic acid, copolymers thereof, and combinations of anyof the foregoing.
 68. The composition of claim 67, wherein: thefilm-forming hydrophilic polymer is selected from poly(dialkylaminoalkyl acrylates), poly(dialkyl aminoalkyl methacrylates),poly(N,N-dialkyl acrylamides), poly(trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate),poly(N-vinyl lactams), copolymers thereof, and combinations of an of theforegoing; and the complementary multifunctional polymer is selectedfrom poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid), poly(maleic acid),poly(hydroxyalkyl methacrylates), cellulose derivatives, copolymersthereof, and combinations of any of the foregoing.
 69. The compositionof claim 44, wherein: the film-forming hydrophilic polymer is selectedfrom poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid), poly(maleic acid),poly(sulfonic acid), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl phenol),poly(ethylene oxide), poly(hydroxyalkyl methacrylates), cellulosederivatives, alginic acid, copolymers thereof, and combinations of anyof the foregoing; and the complementary multifunctional polymer isselected from poly(dialkyl aminoalkyl acrylates), poly(dialkylaminoalkyl methacrylates), poly(N,N-dialkyl acrylamides), poly(vinylamine), poly(alkylene imine), poly(N-vinyl acrylamide), poly(N-vinylalkylacrylamides), poly(trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate),poly(N-vinyl lactams), chitosan, copolymers thereof, and combinations ofany of the foregoing.
 70. The composition of claim 69, wherein: thefilm-forming hydrophilic polymer is selected from poly(acrylic acid),poly(methacrylic acid), poly(maleic acid), poly(hydroxyalkylmethacrylates), cellulose derivatives, copolymers thereof, andcombinations of any of the foregoing; and the complementarymultifunctional polymer is selected from poly(dialkyl aminoalkylacrylates), poly(dialkyl aminoalkyl methacrylates), poly(N,N-dialkylacrylamides), poly(trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate), poly(N-vinyllactams), copolymers thereof, and combinations of any of the foregoing.71. The composition of claim 44, wherein the film-forming hydrophilicpolymer is an acrylic acid or methacrylic acid polymer or copolymer, thecomplementary multifunctional polymer is selected from poly(dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate), poly(dialkyl aminoalkyl methacrylate), andpoly(trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate) copolymers, and the plasticizeris a C₂-C₈ dicarboxylic acid.
 72. The composition of claim 71, whereinthe film-forming hydrophilic polymer is a methacrylic acid—methacrylatecopolymer, the complementary multifunctional polymer is a copolymer ofdimethylaminoethyl methacrylate and a neutral methacrylate, and theplasticizer is adipic acid.
 73. The composition of claim 48, wherein thebifunctional, linear oligomer has a molecular weight in the range ofapproximately 45 to approximately 800 g/mol.
 74. The composition ofclaim 73, wherein the bifunctional, linear oligomer has a molecularweight in the range of approximately 45 to approximately 600 g/mol. 75.The composition of claim 48, wherein the terminal functional groups areselected from hydroxyl, carboxy, and amino groups.
 76. The compositionof claim 75, wherein the terminal functional groups are selected fromhydroxyl and carboxy groups.
 77. The composition of claim 76, whereinthe terminal functional groups are hydroxyl groups.
 78. The compositionof claim 44, further comprising at least one additive with thefilm-forming hydrophilic polymer, the complementary multifunctionalpolymer, and the bifunctional, linear oligomer in the formation of theadmixture.
 79. The composition of claim 37, wherein the at least oneadditive includes an active agent.
 80. The composition of claim 79,wherein the additive is a pharmacologically active agent.
 81. Thecomposition of claim 80, wherein the pharmacologically active agent is adrug.
 82. The composition of claim 79, wherein the additive is acosmeceutically active agent.
 83. The composition of claim 82, whereinthe cosmeceutically active agent is a tooth whitening agent.
 84. Thecomposition of claim 78, wherein the at least one additive is selectedfrom fillers, pH regulating agents, ionizing agents, tackifiers,electrolytes, antimicrobial agents, antioxidants, preservatives,colorants, and combinations thereof.